The western foreshores of Pittwater are synonymous with early fishing days on the estuary with one beach named, alike Mullet island on the Hawkesbury for the abundance of fish that once ran in season here. Great Mackeral Beach and Little Mackeral Beach, called 'Wilson's Beach' during that family's decades long ownership of the place we now call Currawong, was a place where fishermen resided and early European residents made small farms.

Little Mackaral Beach, was settled by John Clarke in 1823, a NSW Military Veteran of the 102nd regiment whom Martin Burke had met aboard the ship Tellicherry in 1806. The land was purchased by Martin Burke in 1824. John Clarke moved to Launceston, Tasmania, on retirement. Governor Thomas Brisbane formally granted the land to Burke on 16 January 1835.

Martin Burke was one of the five 'Wicklow Martyrs'. This description of Burke is one of a list of about 45 men who the government had published in Irish newspapers on 26th & 31st July 1799 and on 13th & 16th December 1799. Number 1 on the list was Michael Dwyer:

“The following ROBBERS, MURDERERS and DESERTERS are now wandering about, and are occasionally concealed by disaffected persons in the Counties of Wicklow, Wexford, Carlow, Kildare, Dublin &tc and Rewards will be paid for securing such of them as are first mentioned agreeably to a Proclamation dated the 8th day of June last:

....

“MARTIN BURKE, five feet eleven inches high, dark hair, rather fair complexion, long nose bending downwards at the point, uneven teeth, long face, straight in the back, xat? Stoops in the shoulders down from his neck, strong legs and thighs, a little bowed at the knees, walks very upright, [blank] years old, born at or near Imale.”

The July notices did not list a reward, however the December notices included a reward of “Two Hundred Guineas for taking him.”

Freemans Journal Tuesday 30 July 1805 page 2:

“Thursday evening, Michael Dwyer, Martin Burke, Arthur Develin, Hugh Byrne and John Mernagh [sic], were conveyed from Kilmainham prison, by the Circular-road in carriages, and put on board an armed cutter in the river, which is to carry them to Cove, where a transport destined for Botany Bay, is ready to receive them.”

He was transported on the Tellicherry, arriving here on the 15th of February, 1806. By the end of 1806 Burke had formed a liaison with Phoebe Tunstall, a thirty nine year old convict who had arrived on the Nile from England in 1801 to serve a seven year sentence. Phoebe had been assigned to a small holder, Thomas Andrews, and she had a child by him in 1803. Her husband had operated a shop in Pitt Street in leased premises and, following his death in 1806, Phoebe and her young daughter Sarah, moved to Cabramatta to live with Martin Burke where he had a land grant.

In late 1806 Martin Burke was arrested and charged with, “an attempt to disturb the good order and discipline of the colony”. It is not known who had brought the charges but in any event they were disproved and Burke was later released.

Michael O'Dwyre, Hugh Byrne, Martin Burke, John Morner, Thomas McCann, William Morris, Arthur Develyn and Walter Clare, were put to the bar and indicted for conniving and intending to disturb the peace of this colony, by undergoing many persons to revolt from their allegiance, and to rise in open rebellion, which meant to overthrow His Majesty's Government therein, as well upon the 27th day of August last as at other subsequent periods, prior to the prisoners being taken into custody.

The evidence on the part of the Crown was clear and connected. It appeared upon the most respectable testimony, that the conduct of many of that defendants or prisoners who had been exiled for treasonable and seditious practices, had been untoward and highly disrepectful to their masters, at and about the above stated period; and that from this sudden change of conduct, in addition to the various informations that were communicated by persons whose veracity was to be depended on, no other inference was deducible than that the projected insurrection was upon the very point of bursting forth, and that the devoted victims to delusion and artifice were confident of a successful issue.

The prisoners were allowed every assistance requisite to their defence; which after some exculpatory argument, concluded generally with a point blank

denial of the charge.

The Court was then cleared; and after a minute revision of the evidence, re-opened; when Thomas McCann and William Morris were found guilty, and the others acquitted.—The prisoners were taken from the bar, and ordered to be brought up to receive their sentences the following day; when

Mr. James Ceroni, chief officer, and Mr. James Jeffries, purser of the General Wellesley, were then put to the bar and indicted on a charge of having seduced from their duty two seamen belonging to His Majesty's ship Porpoise, and encouraged them to desertion by permitting and contriving their secretion on board the ship General Wellesley and elswhere. After a clear and minute investigation, Mr. Jeffries was acquitted, and Mr. Ceroni being found guilty, was fined 20£ and sentenced to be imprisoned six months in His Majesty's gaol at Sydney.

Thomas McCann and William Morris were again brought forward, and ad-dressed by the Judge Advocate; who remarked to them, that notwithstanding the malignity of the crime they were convicted of upon, testimony clear and incontrovertible, yet the penalty incurred thereby did not extend to the lives of the. delinquents ; but the security of society from such foul, sanguinary, and abominable devices, rendered necessary the most exemplary punishment : " The Court did therefore adjudge and sentence them to receive one thousand lashes each; the Court recommending further, that as delinquents of the most dangerous principles and character, be removed by the most speedy conveyance to some remote place, where the baneful influence of their detestible principles might not be disseminated among other ignorant & credulous persons."

In pursuance of their sentence, the prisoners having received a part of their corporal punishment, have been sent away to different settlements, where the remainder will be inflicted.

May this example have a due impression upon the unwary mind, and guard it against the evil counsel of the villain, whose schemes are impotent, & whose presumption can alone be equalled by the rain which must inevitably fall upon himself and his coadjutors.

The odious project which has thus happily been laid open, had been in agi-tation for upwards of a twelvemonth; the secret informations received by Go-vernment rendered vigilance necessary, and every precaution that had been adopted was immediately succeeded by a change of measures among the principal agents in the work of intended massacre —and had their plots succeeded to their wish, dreadful indeed had been the fate of all, whom reason, loyalty, and humanity must inspire with sentiments of abhorrence and disgust at their intended plan of operations. COURT OF CRIMINAL JURISDICTION. (1807, June 7). The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article627444

William Bligh directed that Martin Burke, should go to Port Dalrymple (Launceston) in Van Diemen’s Land. While awaiting transportation on board the vesselPorpoisein Sydney Harbour Burke arranged for Father James Harold to conduct a secret marriage service on the ship so that he was legally united with Phoebe Tunstall. While he was away Phoebe bigamously married a soldier, John Butler, at St Phillips Church in Sydney, ignoring the fact that her legal spouse was in exile in Tasmania. When Burke returned to Sydney early in 1809 Phoebe left her new soldier husband and returned with her young daughter, Sarah, to resume her life with Martin Burke.

The reunion of the couple was marked by ill fortune since the house in which the pair were living caught fire and they were lucky to escape with their lives. Phoebe, Martin and young Sarah were left without any possessions or clothing and were reduced to a state of “extreme distress”. It appears that the other Irish families in the area came to the assistance of Burke and his small family and their house was rebuilt within a short period.

Late on Tuesday night or early on Wednesday morning, a fire broke out in the farm house of Martin Burke, at George's River; which owing to the roof being thatched, scarce gave the persons, consisting of Burke, his wife, and child, time to escape ; but not a single article of wearing apparel or other property could be saved, by which the sufferers are reduced to extreme distress. SYDNEY. (1809, January 15). The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article627663

In 1809 Burke, along with those he had been transported with, was given a 100 acre land grant at Cabramatta. By 1810 Governor Lachlan Macquarie had arrived in the colony and the State Prisoners presented a joint petition to have their pardons and land grants reconfirmed by the new governor. The five Wicklow men received their pardons in July 1811 and at the same time their finances were given a boost since they received stock from the government herd. In 1812 Martin Burke, at the prompting of Phoebe Tunstall, took the decision to give up farming and leased a tavern in Pitt Street. In that year he sold his Cabramatta farm to an Irishman, Bernard Burn, for the sum of 190 pounds. Burke appears to have succeeded in his new career and in 1813 he took over the lease of another Pitt Street hotel, The Hope and Anchor, paying seventy pounds per annum for the property.

By 1816 Burke had decided to return to farming and he leased 500 acres at Bringelly from the surveyor, John Oxley, at a fee of thirty pounds per annum. Phoebe Tunstall remained the licensee at the Hope and Anchor but it seems that the hotel was by that time less profitable than it had been, mainly because of the fierce competition in the Pitt Street quarter of Sydney. It was at this time that Martin Burke agreed to become a police constable in the Bringelly area which at that time had a reputation for lawlessness and bushranging. It is evident that Burke needed the pay and provisions which came with the job since by 1820 he was unable to pay the arrears in his lease and John Oxley took him to court for the sum of ninety pounds.

In July of that year he resigned from his post as Constable at Bringelly but not long after he commenced a similar position at Pittwater. To settle his affairs Burke admitted his debt but as a consequence was forced to default on repayment of the debt and as a result thirty acres of land which he had purchased at Pittwater in 1813 were forfeited.

GOVERNMENT AND GENERAL ORDERS.

SECRETARY'S OFFICE, 30th SEPT. 1820.

CIVIL DEPARTMENT.

HIS EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR, on the Recommendation of WILLIAM MINCHIN, Esquire, Superin-tendent of Police, has been pleased to appoint Martin Burke to be a Constable at Pittwater, Broken Bay.

Martin Burke received another grant of fifty acres at Pittwater and later bought another thirty acres to add to his holding. In 1821 Martin Burke, Phoebe Tunstall and her two daughters (the second girl probably being the child of the soldier, John Butler) moved to Pittwater.

He then leased 700 acres from d’Arcy Wentworth and once again began farming. It was presumably to provide himself with an additional income that Burke had accepted an appointment as a police constable in the Pittwater region. Like his fellow Irish police officers Burke must have been aware of the irony of the situation which saw a one time bandit chief appointed as an officer of the law but, unlike Dwyer, Burke appears to have been a conscientious, if not very effective, policeman. However there were other colonial citizens who were less assured about the suitability of such an appointment and in 1823 Martin Burke’s private affairs came under scrutiny when his marital status was questioned after an allegation had been made that an officer of the law was openly. “living in sin”. Martin Burke replied to this questioning with a letter to d’Arcy Wentworth in which he explained that he had been,“ Married in Sydney in 1807 by the Reverent W. (J.) Harold, Catholic clergyman. By this marriage I have no children - but my wife’s two. I have always supported and was allowed their rations at Government store......”

Having at last admitted his secret marriage felt more secure in his official position and he proceeded to build a farmhouse near Mona Vale where he established a large garden and soon after he set about purchasing additional cattle.

In 1818 his step daughter, Sarah, had married an Irish wheelwright, David Foley per Guilford in 1818 and the couple now moved to Pittwater to help Martin and Phoebe run the property. This is the David Foley who was later murdered near his home in 1839.

In 1819 Martin Burke leased an additional 200 acres at Bayview and by 1822 he had 34 head of cattle on the farm. The property had thirty four cleared acres of which three acres were under maize, one acre was producing potatoes and another acre was devoted to a fruit orchard.

In 1822 Martin Burke was accused of dealing in the “slop” clothing which was issued to prisoners. It appears that he was buying the official clothing which was issued free to convicts, probably in return for liquor, and then selling the garments for profit. It was a cheap and miserable trade since the garments were issued on a yearly basis and, once a convict had parted with his clothing, the winter months would see him ragged and shivering with insufficient protection from the chilly winter days.

In 1823 John Clark, a Veteran soldier of the 102 Regiment who had come free to the colony per Tellicherry, was granted land about Great and Little Mackerel Beaches (so named for the abundant supplies of this fish caught off the beaches in the early days of settlement). Together with Martin Burke the two men began farming and grazing cattle in the area in a partnership which lasted for a number of years.

In 1825 Martin Burke subleased his 700 acres to David Foley but he retained the right to graze his cattle on the land as well as to retain one room in the dwelling house and half an acre for a garden. By this time Martin Burke was again the subject of a complaint, the basis of which was that he grazed cattle in the area but had no stockyards or stockmen so that his animals frequently were grazing on the properties of others.

As Martin Burke was the district pound-keeper the local residents had no means of seeking to have the Burke cattle impounded since Burke would immediately release his own animals while keeping other “stays” firmly under lock and key until hefty pound fees were paid. In 1826 the Superintendent of Police, Captain Rossi, reported on the situation when he wrote, “ the man’s interest is certainly at variance with his public duty”. Rossi recommended that the next constable and pound keeper should be someone who held no land in the area and he went so far to say that, given that Burke had made very few arrests in his six years as a police officer, he did not appear to be very diligent in the execution of his duties. Martin Burke was now in his mid fifties and, as his suitability for the role of officer of the law had been called into question, he may have been ready to give up the role of policeman. He continued to work on the property which he had leased until the acreage was sold in 1829.

By 1824 Burke was the sole owner of the land at Little Mackeral and Great Mackeral. In the 1830s he continued to buy and sell land in the Pittwater area.

By this time Phoebe Tunstall had died and Martin Burke began to prepare for retirement, gradually disposing of his holdings but he retained the house, outhouses and enough land to support himself with hens and vegetables.

In 1832 William Booth also claimed he had been promised the land, which he was farming, but possibly because Booth had made no improvements the first Crown grant was given to Martin Burke in 1835. Burke’s final years were spent in a wooden cottage near Mackerel Beach where he was close to old friends, the Sheehan and Flynn families. Martin was still living at Mackerel Beach at the time of the 1841 census but he became ill in 1842 and then moved to the Sydney Asylum, a home for old men, where he died peacefully at the age of 79.

109. Robert Mackintosh, senior, 200, Two hundred Acres, Parish of Narrabeen, commencing at the North-east corner of Robert Mackintosh, junior, forty acres, and bounded onthe west by that farm by a line South thirty-fit e degrees West thirty-two chains; on the South by a line South tifty-five degrees East fifty-twochains fifty links to Jeremiah Bryant's eightyacres ; on the East by Bryant's eighty acresand Peter Patillo'i» eighty acres by a line Norththirty-five degrees East thirty-nine chains toPitt Water; and on the North by the watersof Pitt Water to the commencwg co-Aer.

110. Peter Patillo, 80, Eighty Acres,Parish of Narrabeen, commencing at the North-east corner of Robert Mackintosh's two hundred acres, and bounded on the West by that farm by a line South thirty-five degrees West twenty sixchains fifty links to the North corner of Jeremiah Bryant's eighty acres ; on the South by Bryant by a line South seventy-four and a-half degrees East thirty-eight chains fifty links to a swamp called " Winne Jeramy ;" and on the East and North by that Swamp and Pitt Water to the commencing corner,

111. Jeremiah Bryant,80, Eighty Acres,Parish of Narrabeen, commencing at the South-east corner of Peter Patillo's eighty acres, and bounded on the North by that farm by a line. North seventy-four and "a-half degrees West thirty-eight chains fifty links to Robert Mackintosh's two hundred acres'; on the West by that farm by a line South thirty-five degrees West twenty-three chains; on the West by a line South thirty-five degrees East twenty-five chainsto a swamp ; and on the East by the swamp to the commencing corner.

112. John Taylor, 30, Thirty Acres, Parishof Narrabeen, commencing at the South-westcorner of John Williams' sixty acres, and bounded on the East by J. J. Therry's twelvehundred acres by a lire South twenty-threechains to a small Bay ; and on the South-west and North by the waters of Pitt Water to the

113. Thomas Warner, 50, Fifty Acres,Parish of Narrabeen, commencing at the Northcast corner, and bounded on the East by a sideHue of twenty-five chains; on the South by aWest line of twenty-five chains to Pitt Water;and on the West and North by the waters ofPitt Water to the commencing corner.

114. Henry Gaskin, 50, Fifty Acres, Parish of Narrabeen, commencing at the North-east corner of Warner's fifty acres, and bounded on the West by a South line of twenty-nine chains; on the South by an East line of twenty chains ; on the East by a North line of twenty four chains to Pitt Water ; and on the North by the waters of Pitt Water to the commencing corner. Promised by Governor Macquarie on 31st March, 1821. Quit-rent Is. sterling per tan-num, commencing 1st January, 1827.

115. John Joseph Therry, 1200, One thousand two hundred Acres, Parish of Narrabeen, commencing at the South-east comer of the Government Reserve of two hundred and eighty acres, and bounded on the North by that Reserve by a line West twenty-five chains to a Stream ; on the North by that Stream and Ca-reel Bay to the North-east corner of Henry Gaskin's fifty acres; on the West by Gaskin's by a line South twenty-four chains ; on the South by a line West twenty chains, and again by a line North four chains to the South-east corner of. Warner's fifty acres; on the North by Warner by a line West twenty-five chains to Pitt Water; on the West by the waters of Pitt Water to the North-west coiner of John William's sixty acres ; on the South by that farm by a line South fifty degrees East 38 chains ; on the West by a line South forty decrees West sixteen chains ; on the North by a line North fifty degrees West thirty-nine chains to the North corner of John Taylor's thirty acres ; on the West by Taylor by a line South twenty three chains to Pitt Water ; on the West by the waters of Pitt Water to the North-west corner of James M'Donald's thirty acres ; on the South by that farm by a line East eleven chains ; on the West by a line South twenty-three chains to Robert Melvyn's sixty acres; on the South by part of Melvyn's farm, and by Porter's and Anderson's farms by a line East fifty chains to Martin Burke's fifty acres; on the East by that farm by a line North six chains to a Stream ; on the East by that Stream, which is the Western boundary of John Farrell's sixty acres; on the South by that farm by a line East twenty-eight chains to the Village Reserve of one hundred acres ; on the East by part of the Village Reserve by a line North seven chains to a Stream ; on the South by that Stream, which is the North boundary of the Village Reserve to the Sea; and on the East by the Sea to the commencing comer.

116. John Farrell, 60, Sixty Acres, Parish of Narrabeen, commencing at the North corner of Martin Burke's fifty acres and James M'Nally's thirty acres, and bounded on the South by M'Nally by a line East ten chains; on the East by the Village Reserve by a line North twenty-eight chains ; on the North by aline West twenty-eight chains to a Stream; on the West by that Stream to Martin Burke's fifty acres ; and on the East by that farm by a line North three chains to the commencing corner.

117. Martin Burke, 50, Fifty Acres, Parish of Narrabeen, commencing at the South-east corner of Robert Anderson's sixty acres, and bounded on the West by that farm, by a line North thirty-six chains; on the East by James M'Nally's thirty acres, by a line South forty four degrees East twenty-nine chains, to the entrance of a salt water creek; and on the South by that creek to the commencing corner.

9. Cumberland, fifty acres, parish of Broken Bay, situated at the basin at Pitt-water, commencing at a marked tree in a small bay, and bounded on the west by a line north 22 chains ; on the north by a line east 25 chains to Pitt-water; and on the south east and all other sides by that water to the marked tree. Applied for by Martin Burke. Price five shillings per acre. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, 5th Nov. 1833. SALE OF LAND. (1833, November 11). The Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831 - 1842), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12848144

No. 188. By Martin Burke, of Pitt Water, to 100 acres of land, promised by Sir Thomas Brisbane to John Clarke, now of Launceston, a pensioner of the 102 ½ regiment, described as follows: situate in the county of Cumberland, parish of Broken Bay, 60 acres at Great Mackerel Beach, (in the western shore of Pitt Water, and 40 acres adjoining and extending towards an inlet called the Basin, bounded on the north by James Retbey's 40 acres, on the west by a line south 46 chains, in the south by a line east 18 chains, and on the east by the Little Mackerel Beach, Pitt Water, and The Great Mackerel Bench. CLAIMS TO LAND. (1834, April 28). The Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831 - 1842), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12849194

Burke leased the 40 acres (16 hectares) that included Little Mackerel Beach to Patrick Flynn or Flinn. According to Honorah Collins, a long-term resident of the area in the 1880s, Patrick Flynn lived at Little Mackerel Beach between 1850 and 1854. Flynn/Flinn also leased Nappers Grant (Barrenjoey) from 1844 until 1850/51 and was known for his excellent vegetables and beautiful garden.

Patrick Flinn was listed in Low’s 1847 directory as landholder, Pitt Water. Patrick Flinn or Flynn arrived in Sydney by the Southworth on 9 March 1822. A ploughman and soldier, he had been convicted and sentenced to life transportation at Wexford County in March 1821, at the age of 30. His birth place was Limerick, and his native place Cork. Patrick was already living at Pittwater in September 1830, when the Sydney Bench recommended he be given his Ticket of Leave. He was allowed to remain in the District of Pittwater.

Government Notice.

Colonial Secretary's Office,

Sydney, 29th November, 1830.

HIS Excellency the Governor will hold His ANNUAL CONFERENCE with the CHIEFS and TRIBES of the NATIVES on Wednesday, the 5th of January next, at the Hour of Eleven in the Forenoon, at the Market-place, Parramatta.

By His Excellency's Command,

ALEXANDER McLEAY._

Public Notice.

Colonial Secretary's Office,

Sydney, 22d Dec. 1830.

THE following Prisoners of the Crown have obtained Tickets of Leave since the last day of Publication; viz:—

The section then passed to Cornelius Sheehan who leased it to various people. Cornelius Sheehan was tried at Cork City Court in 1823 and sentenced to 7 years. He sailed from Cork Ireland on 28 September 1823 on the transport ship Castle Forbes and arrived in Port Jackson on 15 January 1824. He was 44 years old, 5ft 7¼, brown eyes, bald-headed, brown complexion.

He was assigned at first to the Minto Road Party. By 1828 he was an assigned servant to Mr. James Jenkins at Long Reef when the following event was reported in the Monitor 19 March 1828:-

“SUPREME CRIMINAL COURT, SATURDAY 8th. – John Naturau and William Rose, were indicted for stealing twelve bags, containing twelve bushels of maize, value £6 from the store of Mr. Jenkins, at Long-reef on the eleventh day of February last. Cornelius Sheehan, an assigned servant to Mr. Jenkins, deposed, that on the day in question, he left his master’s house to get some bullocks. On his approaching the creek, he saw a boat lying in the basin. There was no person in the boat. Three or four minutes after, he saw two men come out of his master’s paddock, and upon asking them who or what they wanted? was answered, they came on shore to look for fresh water. They enquired if his master wanted to purchase any oil, as they had some in the boat? Witness replied no; his master bought his oil in Sydney. They then went to their boat, and put away from the shore. Witness observed then put in again about 20 or 30 rods further up the creek, and having left their boat some time, he further saw them return with four bags, containing something, and put them into the boat. Witness then ran to the store, and missing four bags of maize, proceeded on to his master’s residence, which was about a mile distant, keeping the men in sight the whole of the time. Witness, by his master’s desire, procured a boat and a man named Hill, also in Mr. Jenkins’s service, and pursued the prisoners, who were making off.

He captured them. Witness remained on shore, and on searching more closely, discovered there were six bags gone from the store, when the boat was brought back. He saw six bags in the boat, which he swears were his master’s property. Mr. Justice Dowling – Was the store always kept locked? Witness – It was; ....

Cornelius married Isabella Hindson on 22 October 1832. Their abode was Pittwater. They were living at Mackerel Bay in a wooden house at the time of the 1841 census, with Martin Burke and Patrick Flinn living in houses nearby.

On 19 December 1854 Patrick Flinn, his daughter Ellen and her husband Henry Merritt assigned their lease of Little Mackerel Beach to Cornelius Sheehan for £45. [LTO Book 40 No.52]

Cornelius is invariably described in records as being a farmer at Pittwater, but whether he lived at Little Mackerel Beach or elsewhere is difficult to ascertain. The Sheehans appear to have been very quiet people. Isabella died in 1859, aged 84, and Cornelius died at Pittwater in September 1864. Jane Boxwell, known also as Jane Sheehan (Cornelius’ de facto wife?), married Thomas Cooper in 1865.

On the 14th of January 1871 Thomas and Jane Cooper conveyed the land at Little Mackerel Beach to Joseph Starr, who was already living there, for £45. [LTO Book 128 No.186]

On 4 June 1872 Joseph Starr of Sydney, mariner, conveyed to Thomas and Sarah Wilson of Pittwater the 40 acre land grant at Little Mackerel Beach, for £60. The property was in Sarah’s name, with her son-in-law, James Tobin of Manly Beach as trustee.

The Wilson family owned Little Mackarel until 1908, when the property was known as "Wilsons Beach". They, too, had previously been on the acreage named 'Monvale' by David Foley and they too were subjected tot he Farrells tendency to try and rule other neighbours or drive them out.

Thomas Wilson arrived in Sydney on the Lady Nugent from England, on 6 April 1835. He was aged 21, single, a Protestant who could read and write. He came from Kent, and was a skinner and poulterer. With no former conviction, he was found guilty of assault and robbery at Montgomery quarter sessions on 17 October 1833, and sentenced to seven years.

He was 5 feet 4¾ inches tall, with a ruddy and freckled complexion, brown hair and grey eyes, his eyebrows partially meeting. Among various marks and scars, he had (presumably tattooed) a sun, half moon, seven stars and a crucifix inside his lower left arm. In 1837 he was assigned to William George at Long Reef Farm, and was still there in January 1839. (See story under William George.)

He received his Ticket of Leave on 29 May 1839, “allowed to remain in the District of Pitt Water”. He was living at Pittwater in a wooden house with another single male at the time of the 1841 census. With his wife, sometimes known as Priscilla and sometimes as Sarah, he had many children: Mary Jane (b.1843, married James Tobin 1861), Emily (b.1845, married James Warren 1870), Thomas (b.1847, married Frances Oliver 1870), Alfred (b.1849), Nancy (b.1852, married Albert H. Turner 1872), Pauline (b.1854), Priscilla (b.1859), Bertha (b.1866), Blanche (born 1868, died 11 November 1870), and Edgar Rock (b.1873). A marriage between Thomas Wilson I and [Sarah] Priscilla Cundah in 1870 is recorded in the N.S.W. Births, Deaths and Marriages, suggesting that until this date it was a de facto marriage.

At a sale of land held at Sydney on 15 December 1853, Thomas Wilson and William Mildwater as tenants in common purchased Lot 33 at Curl Curl Creek (now Manly Creek), to the east of John Wheeler’s 100 acres. They paid £80 for 80 acres, and the deed of grant was issued on 13 February 1855. [LTO SN99/243] Wilson may have lived on this land for some years, as he had a house and land, freehold, in 1859, and Sand’s Directory listed him as gardener, Lagoon, in 1863, and farmer, Pittwater-road from 1865 to 1869, while William Mildwater was a grocer in Whistler Street, Manly.

The Wilsons were tenants of “Mona Vale” during the years 1869 to 1872. On 4 August 1870 Wilson saw John Farrell III driving some of his (Wilson’s) cattle on the side of a hill (Bushranger’s Hill) towards Farrell’s farm. A three-year-old heifer who was within six weeks of calving was missed, and after investigating, the police arrested Farrell and charged him with having portion of a stolen carcase in his possession. The legal proceedings were protracted, and while at the Central Criminal Court, Thomas Wilson received the shocking news that his daughter Blanche, aged 2 years and 2 months, had drowned at Mona Vale in a shallow pond about eighteen inches deep, on 11 November 1870.

During the months this trial went on one report refers to where the family must have wanted to move, after the loss of their little daughter, soon after its conclusion, and tells of one who was based nearby, fishing, in the years prior to moving closer to what is now called Newport. The testimomny of one mr. Driver also seems to point to a community fear of the Farrells - no one gets over someone killing their dog with an axe:

WATER POLICE COURT.-WEDNESDAY.

(Before the "Water Police Magistrate and Mr. Kettle.)

John Farrell, junior, on remand, was charged with having a portion of a carcase of a stolen beast in his possession, the property of Thomas Wilson. Senior-constable Carton, stationed at Manly Beach, gave evidence corroborative of sergeant Bloomfield :

By Mr. Driver: Wilson complained of losing cattle. He also complained of losing a horse by shooting through the head. The horse reported to witness as being shot, he saw dead. Has had many conversations with prisoner's father. The beef was taken out of the cask and put in again. Witness wished to have it weighed. The steelyards wore there, but prisoner said the pea was lost. Defendant did not get the pea and give it to him. Bloomfield did not say ho could not weigh with steelyards. Witness would swear he did not see the pen. Could not say that prisoner appeared reluctant in answering questions. He did not say that he was going to wash him-self. He was shaking very much. He said it was from the cold. He did not hesitate to answer any questions. Did not say anything to him about answering questions. Witness did not say, "If you don't answer my questions and mind what you are about, in half-on-hour I'll have you by the wool." He was on the road all that night. He left Manly after twelve o'olock at night. He had a glass of grog before he left home, another at Wilson's, and some from a Husk that Wilson had with him. He was perfectly sober when he went to ' Farrell's. He may have smelt of liquor. He took sundry glasses before he commenced to search. He may have staggered when walking through Farrell’s house. He saw Farréll's brothers and sisters, and they had a good opportunity of seeing him. Witness does not drink much, he can't afford it. He does not take drink for nothing, although he took it from Wilson. Swears he did not take the branding-iron in his hand and place it on the safe, and ask, "If that is the way it is you put oaf" The steelyards were hanging; in the skillion. The pig that he saw was divided into two parts. He saw it in the barn on the Monday night. He has been engaged in garden work for a couple of years, but not in farming pursuits. He could not swear that the calf he saw had not been slipped. Could not swear that the paunch he saw was not that of a pig. He only judges from the masticated food in it. He has talked about the case very often. Knows another Farrell, a farmer. There is an old man in charge of the farm. He went there to search for prisoner. He also went to Mr. Hellery's, at Middle Harbour, to execute a search warrant, but did not execute it. The only search they made there was to look into the beef cask. The search warrant was obtained on his (witness's) information.

He has the warrant in court. It is granted the 9th of August, 1870. Mr. Smithers granted it. Does not know where the information is. On leaving the house, he did not hear Bloomfield call out to prisoner don't shoot any more cattle. Heard Bloomfield ask Farrell when ho killed the last beast, He replied. "Three or four weeks." Can't say that Bloomfield asked him if he could not say exactly. Bloomfield did not ask him if he killed a cow at Narrabeen.

Thomas Wilson, a farmer, residing at Monavale, Pitt Water, deposed that he saw prisoner on the fourth of this month, on horseback. Witness was in the road walking homo. He saw prisoner riding round some cattle of his and heading them up. Prisoner was on his (witness’s) farm then. Witness was talking to a man named Leek, and observed prisoner driving the cattle over the hill towards his" (prisoner's) place. Witness just came from the herd, and noticed the cattle. He did not notice' any particular one more than another. He noticed them all. The heifer in question was about four years old, and was red and white. He missed her the next day. She was heavy in calf, and was "ear marked," and no other brand. She was amongst the mob prisoner was driving. Have not seen her since, but looked for her the next day (Friday) in the same place that he saw her the previous day, but did not find her. He saw all the others there, and on Saturday morning he went out with his son and searched from nine o'clock until dark. He saw where the cattle had been driven over the bridge that separates the two farms. It rained on the Wednesday and he tracked where they were driven buck. Followed the tracks to within three or four hundred yards of prisoner's house. He also saw a horse track going and returning, following the cattle tracks. After making these searches he applied for a search warrant, and obtained one on his sworn information. The following Sunday he accompanied sergeant Bloomfield and constable Carton to prisoner's house. He heard the constable caution him, and asked him if he had any fresh moat about the house. After-wards found some meat in a cask. Prisoner said he got it from Wilson, the butcher, at Manly. Whilst the constables were searching, witness saw prisoner shake his head at a little boy, and he went out to the stock-yard as hard as he could go. Witness ran after him and saw him covering over something with cornstalks. Witness pulled the cornstalks from off the things, and found a young calf, and portions of the inside, under them. They seemed to be quite fresh. The calf was within six weeks of maturity. He has had thirty-five yours' experience amongst cattle. The appearance of the calf showed that it had been taken from the cow.

Had cautioned prisoner scores of times not to go on his run shooting and hunting, and went to his father’s house five or six week ago to complain of him. Never saw him on the run without a waddy, toma-hawk, or gun. He went to prisoner about cattle that he had lost before. Prisoner was never employed by witness. They did not visit each others places.

By Mr. Driver : Had experience in cattle at Kent, England. Knew about cows before he went to "Wheeler's. From there he went to the bason. He was occupied there in fishing, for about six or seven years. He devoted his time there to breeding of cattle. He is rather hard of hearing. His sight is very good, considering his age. He is forty-six. Has not been mistaken on any occasion the last two or three months. Don't recollect the 2nd of April last. Don't remember reporting that he lost a black heifer on that day. His memory is pretty good. He told constable Carton then that young Farrell had been seen the previous day trespassing and dodging round his cows, but won't swear it. Might have told his father so, and if he did, he told the truth. He made a complaint to Cherry that had lost a red bullock that he purchased at Lane Cove. He never told anybody that it was killed at Pitt Water. Cherry sent him word that it had strayed back. Farrell, senior, was the first man to inform him where the bullock was.

-The court adjourned for lunch, and on its resumption, Mr. Driver continued the cross-examination : He saw young Farrell on the Little Reef Hill. He saw Leek working on the road when he spoke to him. It might be 600 or 700 yards away. It was from there he saw young Farrell. Cannot recollect whether there was any rain on the Thursday. It is not generally a sandy country. Sometimes large mobs of cattle run on his farm. As near, as he could guess, there was about thirty head of his cattle there. Did not go on his land. The bridge that he tracked the cattle across is about twelve or fourteen feet wide. He tracked them on the soft country. Constable Carton culled at his house towards Sunday morning.' Witness put a bottle containing brandy on the table. Can't say if Carton drank any. He took about three nobblers in a Husk to Farrell's. Carton drank some of that. Prisoner denied having fresh meat when asked by Sergeant Bloomfield, but afterwards showed the police some meat in a cask. Saw steelyards there. Bloomfield asked if anybody could weigh with the steelyards. Did not hear Farrell say that he could. Bloomfield asked witness if he could weigh with steelyards. They were got, but the pea was not an them ; it was produced after-wards ; young Farrell threw it, and said, " Here it is." On being questioned by the police, Farrell said he got it all from the butcher at Manly. He has no ill-feeling towards the Farrells. After they killed his dog with an axehe shook hands with them and made it up.

To the Bench : The farms are not fenced in. Prisoner's house is about a mile and a half from witness's ; there is no boundary fence.

-James Wilson, butcher at Manly Beach, stated : Remembers sergeant Bloomfield going to him und inquiring about some meat; it was on a Sunday early in this month. He never sold prisoner any meat ; his shopman sold fifty pounds of salt meat to prisoner's father and mother. Can't say if it was sent to Pitt Water. The sale was effected on the 29th of July. Bloomfield showed him some meat at the watch-house ; they were rounds, and briskets It was neither fresh nor salt ; it appeared to him to have been put in pickle. One piece looked like his beef. It was not cut up as butchers usually cut up meat. It did not appear to have been put in good pickle. It would have kept as well without the pickle as with it in the same state as he saw it. Prisoner sent him a hide on the 15th of July. He sent up some before, but none since. Witness got the last hide from his (prisoner's) mother.

-By Mr. Driver : Has had experience in the butchering.' Farrell's family occasionally dealt with him. They have bought both fresh and salt meat in largo quantities. Beef would keep a long time in this weather. Persons unacquainted with the process of curing meat, and taking up a piece of it, would say it was corn beef. Beef taken out of pickle and placed in bags, and conveyed some distance,' would, by knocking about, probably look fresher than it was. He saw some pork amongst it.

-By the Bench : The meat that Bloomfield showed him was leaner than what the fifty pounds was that he sold to Farrell's mother. It takes three or four days to properly corn and press beef.

By Mr. Driver : He did not see the beef weighed and sent away.

-George Marshall: Sold fifty pounds of salt beef on the 29th July to prisoner's father. Has seen the meat that was seized at prisoner's place (at Manly Beach police-station). He could pick out a piece or two that he sold ; it did not all look alike. He saw about 1001b of meat. Does not believe that the rest of the beef, with the exception of one or two pieces, was that sold by him. The mass of beef that he saw differed very much ; it was-not so salt; it was differently cut up, that is another reason why he thinks it is not the same, The meat he saw was the meat of a small beast. He never bought beef from prisoner.' At the time he saw the meat he believed it had been in pickle for twenty four hours.

-By Mr. Driver : He could not tell how long it had been killed. Very likely it might keep a month this weather. Would sworn that he has not been speaking to Mr. Bloomfield outside the court. Has been butchering about thirteen years. Some of the meat he saw was sold to Farrell's people. Carrying meat out of pickle would alter its appearance materially.

-To the Bench : The meat he saw was lean, and did not correspond with the meat he sold.

- Charles Leek, a roadmaker at Pitt Water, knows the prisoner; also knows Wilson. Recollects being with him on the 4th of this month. Saw prisoner on horseback driving cattle. He went out of witness's sight. Does not know what direction he was going. He was on the top of the hill, a good distance from where he was at work.

-By. Mr." Driver : It was between four and five o'clock in the afternoon. He was about a quarter of a mile away. Can't tell how ho was dressed. He was riding a bay horse Don't know how it was branded. Swear point blank it was him. If he saw Mr. Driver as many times at he has seen prisoner he could toll him. He may have been a mile away, from Wilson's house. He was more than three hundred yards away from Wilson's house. It might be three-quarters of a mile He was working alongside the telegraph line. Swears there was more than ten posts between where he was working and Wilson's house.

-To Mr Windeyer : He is positive it was prisoner. He is not mistaken about him at all. He was with him the night before. The court adjourned at four o'clock until Monday next, at eleven o'clock. Bail extended.

In February 1871 John Farrell III was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with hard labour in Parramatta gaol, but was transferred to Port Macquarie penal settlement.

While Thomas Wilson was at “Mona Vale”, his North Manly farm was let to Charles Brady, a silk grower, and his wife. In June 1870 there was a distress for rent, and Wilson sold Brady’s furniture, silkworms, etc. Wilson was present at the sale on 22 June, and purchased some goods himself. When he proceeded to take the goods away, Brady saw that the silkworms were being destroyed and remonstrated with Wilson, who agreed to leave them on payment of £1 to bind the bargain. Brady stated that he had agreed to make up the deficiency in rent, and Wilson had agreed to bring the furniture back for the price he had paid for it. About a month later Brady was ready to pay, but there was disagreement between the two, resulting in court cases in 1872. The court held that the goods belonged to Wilson. [SMH 12 June 1872] A perjury case brought by Brady against Wilson was dismissed. [SMH 17 June 1872]

In the estate, goods, chattels, credits, and effects of Joseph Starr, late of Pyrmont, in the Colony of New South Wales, master mariner, deceased, intestate.

NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen days from the publication hereof, application will be made to the Supreme Court of New South Wales, in its Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, that letters of administration of all and singular the ate, good*, chattels, credits, and effects of Joseph Starr, late of Pyrmont, in the Colony of New South Wales, master mariner, deceased, who departed this life on the 21st day of April last, intestate, may be granted to Mary Ann Starr, of Pyrmont, in the Colony aforesaid, the widow of the said deceased.—Dated at Sydney, this 7th day of May, a.d. 1887.

WILLIAM ROBERTS,

Proctor for Administratrix,

165, York-street, Sydney.

3361 6s. 6d.

In October 1880 Thomas nominated his youngest son, Edgar Rock, aged 7, as a pupil in the school which was being established at Church Point. He would be attending the school in company with his nieces and nephews, the children of his brother Thomas, who lived at Church Point, and the children of his sister Nancy, married to Albert Turner, who lived at Bayview. ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION. (1887, May 10). New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900), p. 3146. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224296296

In the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION.

In the goods, chattels, credits, and effects of Joseph Starr, late of Pyrmont, in the City of Sidney, master mariner, deceased, intestate.

NOTICE is hereby given, that the accounts of Mary Am Starr, the administratrix in the above estate, have this day been filed in the proper office of this Honorable Court; and all persons having claims on the slid estate, or being otherwise interested therein, may come in before me, at my office, at the Supreme Court-house, King-street, in Sydney, on or before Friday, the 22nd day of March instant, at 11 o'clock in (he forenoon, and inspect the said accounts, and if they shall think fit object thereto.—Dated at Sydney, this 7th day of March, a.d. 1889.

Wilson and Mildwater offered the western half of their North Manly grant for sale in 1877. It was described thus:

“Manly Beach - Valuable block of land, in all about forty acres on the North Bank of Curl Curl Lagoon, about 1½ mile from the Pier at Manly, being the western half of Mildwater’s and Wilson’s grant, adjoining Wheeler’s 100 acre grant. It has been in cultivation, was formerly fenced, and otherwise improved. The greater portion of the land is rich alluvial soil, in every respect admirably adapted for Market Gardens, and the elevated parts are suitable as good Building Sites.

The attention of Capitalists, Speculators, Builders, and others is directed to the sale, as it is now but seldom that so large a block of land, within such easy distance of the steamers’ wharf at Manly is offered in one lot.” [SMH 10 Oct 1877; ML Subdivision map M5/205] - [1.]

By 1912 Little Mackerel Beach came into the possession of Pink Marie Stiles, who was married to Dr. Bernard Tarlton Stiles, a physician.

Norman Edwin Keals, 27 years of age, a native of New Zealand, was before Mr. Smithers, SJM., at the Manly Police Court this morning on several charges of breaking-and entering, and stealing. Constable Jones, watch house keeper at Manly stated that on June 17 accused voluntarily made the fallowing statement and signed it:— 'In November last I was in Glenbrook looking for work. I came' across a tent in an Emu Waitts camp belonging to Arthur Thompson. I went into the tent, and stole a bicycle from there, I rode the bicycle to ijawsott, and exchanged it for another which I found leaning up against a church. I afterwards saw in the papers that a … man, named Ellis was, fined £10 at the Penrith Court for stealing a bicycle from Thompson's tent. I did not know Ellis, and he had no part or share in the stealing of the bicycle. Afterwards I obtained a job on the railway; at Glenbrook till February, when I left. When... the' Salvation Army Industrial Farm at Deewhy. I entered the dining room, where I obtained some food. I afterwards stole a bicycle from there. I rode to Pittwater that evening, I entered Simpson's store at Bayview, and stole some tinned fish, biscuits, post cards, and about 2/0 in silver, also some bottles of soft drinks. These things I put in a boat there, and sailed down the bay. I got into broken water and the boat, capsized, I got ashore on to the rocks, where I spent the night. Next day I took a boat belonging to Dr. Stiles, in front of his house, which I entered, and from which I stole some food at Mackerel Beach, Broken Bay. I pulled to Careel Bay. I stole two coats, trousers, and shirts from a tent there. I went to Manly that night, and from there to Sydney, where I pawned my watch. I went to Taree and stole some clothes and money. Then I boarded a steamer at Newcastle and returned to Sydney. After working at Balmain for a while I went to Seven Hills with the intention of leasing a farm there. I failed to get a .farm, and on, my, return to Sydney I bought a revolver, with which I intended to commit suicide, I went to Manly and to the Salvation Army farm at Dee Why, where I stayed for a few days in a hayloft. From there I went to Newport, and after a few days I broke into Scott Fell's house at Mona Vale, and stayed there for a few days, and lived on food that I found in the house. I left Scott Fell's house and went to another furnished cottage owned by Edward Scott, where I broke in and remained until I was surprised by a party of week-end campers. I jumped out of a window and ran a-way, but they caught me and seat for a constable and gave me in charge. ...REMARKABLE CONFESSION. (1912, June 28). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 8 (FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article228856742

The Wilson house, occupied by the Stiles family, was destroyed by fire before 1915. Between 1916 and 1917 a house named "Africa" was built by the Stiles family. This house survives today, albeit renamed "Midholme". Constructed in 1915 a little to the northeast of where the original Wilson family farmhouse was, (which burnt down) the Stiles family built ‘Africa’, later renamed ‘Midholme’ as a Federation style hobby farm from weatherboards and Fibro sheeting, a product used in many holiday homes during that period. Some sources state it was renamed Midholme due to being midway between the Northend and Southend homes. The house stands on sandstone piers for ventilation and to avoid flooding in king tides or when the creek overflows. Originally the veranda was enclosed and these areas were traditionally used as sleeping places during days when the house was full or it was too hot to sleep indoors. The Stiles also used this front veranda as a school area, which other children from nearby bays would attend, when they were in residence with their governess or a tutor. Bernard and Pink Stiles (better known as Peggy) and their children - Bernard Jnr, Nora, Pat and Joy spent many happy years at Little Mackeral, fitting in well with the local close-knit community and participating in Pittwater Regattas.

Bernard Stiles, who was raised at Currawong in the early 1910s recalled the natural beauties of the place:

'Regarding the flora and fauna I feel I should mention one bird, namely the Lyre Bird at Little Mackerel. These glorious birds were sheer delight to listen to in the morning, imitating every other bird in the bush, even the putt-putt of a motor boat or a man chopping wood was quite distinct. Koala bears and wallabies were also plentiful. Some of the wildflowers that grew on Little Mackerel and up on the Kuringai Plateau where the West Head Road now carries many sightseers are the many species of boronia, Christmas bush, flannel flowers, waratahs, Christmas bells and in one particular spot is a swampy patch that grows a very rare miniature native rose. Near this spot is the high knob where one can look west and see the Hawkesbury ridge and from the same spot look in the opposite direction and see the whole of Pittwater, Barrenjoey, Lion Island and Palm Beach, truly a unique view.' (quoted in Macken, 2003, 47-48)

Bernard Stiles jnr. in 1944:

PROPOSED FROM PRISON CAMP

War-time Romance

The engagement announced to-day of Miss Helen Hollis and Sergeant Bernard Stiles, A.I.F., only son Of Dr. and Mrs. B Stiles, of Manly, is of special interest, as the proposal was made by letter from a prison camp in Germany.

Sergeant Stiles is a prisoner of war in Stalag 344, in Germany. He was With the 8th Division, and was captured In Crete, three and a half years ago. At the camp, he is the Red Cross representative, and supervises the distribution of the parcels. which, he says, arrive regularly, and help considerably to supplement, the food supplied to the prisoners of war.

Photo: MISS HELEN HOLLIS

When his proposal was accepted by Miss Hollis, he wrote and requested his mother to buy an engagement ring on his behalf. Mrs. Stiles selected a single-stone diamond ring, which Miss Hollis is now wearing. Miss Hollis is the youngest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hollis, of New Zealand, and lives with her sister. Mrs. Harold Warner, at Talwood Station, Talwood, Queensland. PROPOSED FROM PRISON CAMP (1944, December 16). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17931939

During their occupation of the property the Stiles also constructed a house and garden later known as Wilderness or Southend. Southend was constructed prior to 1937. The building was constructed in a Federation style, however it was destroyed by fire sometime between 1946 and 1949. The site contained gardens which were reportedly quite extensive and included vegetables and fruit trees to the northwest of the house. Bernard Stiles junior recalls that this building [Southend] replaced an earlier structure which also had gardens containing jonquils and geraniums. Southend was also used as a general store by the Stiles family and for a brief period as a guest house.

Other features noted as being present or built during the time of the Stiles family include post and rail fencing, a jetty at the northern end of the beach and extending northwest following the tidal flat and south creek; tennis courts, flower gardens, a windmill, a dairy/stables and a well. The structure located just northwest of the farmhouse may have been the site of the kitchen for the homestead, later known as Canning Cottage, were the telephone was installed in the 1930s.

Mrs. Stiles subdivided Portion 10 into a further 3 allotments during the Stiles family ownership of the property. These included the sale of lot 4/DP 978424 to Isaac Barry Evans and Harriet May (32 ¾ perches) in August 1918; Lot 1/DP 166328(1acre, 1 rod and 36 perches) to Hector Henry Forsayth in June 192038 and Lot 1/DP 337208 (29 ½ perches) to Sophie Rock in 193739.

Forsayth and his wife constructed a house known as Northend within their allotment which fronted the beach in the 1920s. They also constructed a boatshed, a flagpole and a concrete retaining wall in an effort to obstruct the tide which was undermining the foundations of Northend (Figure 7). The concrete wall constructed to assist the retention of the Northend house did not stop the erosion of Northend’s foundations and it was demolished in the 1970s. A pine tree is shown in an old photograph of the house.

Little Mackarel Beach was purchased by the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company in 1942. The Company planned to construct a picnic ground and shark-proof enclosure at Little Mackerel Beach as part of its larger tourism ventures. Those plans were never carried out (National Trust listing card, 2000). By the late 1940s the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company had suffered an economic downturn and was forced to sell off many of its assets, including its holding at Little Mackerel Beach. The company's legacy there was modest and included the construction of a timber sea wall to mitigate beach erosion, and the erection of a small cottage near Midholme. This is now called Canning Cottage after Charles Canning, the company's caretaker who came to live there after initially supervising maintenance from Great Mackerel Beach. An undated plan of Little Mackerel Beach, probably from the late 1940s, shows the four residences, some outbuildings, a tennis court and a cultivation paddock on the banks of the creek. Photographs in the company's archives from about the same time show fencing and a row of small sheds, possibly chicken coops (Musecape & Beaver, 1999).

In 1949 the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company sold the Beach to the New South Wales Trades and Labour Council for £10,000, including 4 cottages. Following on from the legislated 40-hour working week, and two weeks of paid annual leave, the Labour Council proceeded to use the site for holiday accommodation. Eight cabins were constructed between 1949 and 1952 and an additional "Vandyke" style cabins between 1950–1953 and in 1990 a managers house was constructed.

UNION CAMP TO SEEK LICENCE

SYDNEY, Friday.

The N.S.W Trades and Labour Council,' at the Licensing Court on January 28, will seek a spirit merchant's licence for the general store at its holiday camp at Little Mackerel Beach, Pittwater. The Councils' camp provides' cheap holiday accommodation for unionists' and their families.

The Assistant Secretary of .the Council, Mr. J. D. Kenny, said to-day that the licence would be sought because the camp was isolated from" the nearest hotel at Newport. He said the licence, if granted, would enable the general store to sell wine, spirits and bottled beer in two-dozen lots.

On Saturday the residents of the locality assembled on Great Mackerel Beach, Kuring-gal Chase, Pittwater, to take part in the dedication of the new wharf and adjacent foreshore to the public. The occasion was one of much rejoicing in the district. Not only has the entire foreshore been made available to residents and to the community generally, but access has been afforded where previously there was none to one of the most delightful gorges of Kuring-gai Chase. KURING-GAI CHASE (1920, January 5 - Monday).The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 4 (CABLE EDITION). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221385001

This wharf was installed to allow access as parcels of land were to be offered for sale:

OLD COINS FOUND

On Great Mackerel Beach

Shortly before the Christina holidays, When Mr. James Curdy, a surveyor, was engaged in the work of subdividing Great Mackerel Beach, Kuring-gai Chase, Pittwater, he stumbled upon some copper coins of the reign of George III, intrinsically, of course, they are worthless enough, as the gigantic pennies of those days can hardly be said to have attained "a collector's value." But on the other hand their presence on Great Mackerel Beach is a matter of some Interest. Until the construction of the wharf, a few weeks ago, the spot was not easy of access, and it is hardly likely that the occasional visitor who found his way ashore from an open boat would drop them from the pocket of a pair of "shorts" as he wandered Inland in search of drinking water. Of course the coins may be part of the "treasure" that, according to local tradition lies buried with the bones of an early settler. Or again, they may have been carried there by a convict.

George III (George William Frederick; 4 June 1738 – 29 January 1820) was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of the two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death.

Notes: laurel has 11 leaves, SOHO mintmark below shield, first British or English copper penny. Images courtesy of Gold Guinea.

The first copper penny to be circulated in Britain, the cartwheel penny was designed to combat counterfeiting. Designed to weigh its exact value in copper, (one ounce), the 1797 penny was very large.

The 1797 British penny obverse features the robed laureate bust of King George III facing right. The legend reads: 'GEORGIUS III-D:G-REX.' The reverse shows Britannia seated facing left, holding an olive branch and a trident with a shield resting beside, with a ship in the distance. The legend reads 'BRITANNIA.' above, with the date below.

In 1934 the site was used as a camp for a Chauvel film with the Chauvels staying on site - the image below looks similar to Little Mackerel's open flats:

"HERITAGE." Plans for Crowd Scenes. GOVERNOR PHILLIP'S LANDING.More than a hundred men. most, of them unemployed, have been given work for to-day as "extras" in the Australian picture, "Heritage."' which Mr. Charles Chauvel is producing for Expeditionary Films. Ltd. Seventy of the men were selected in Sydney, and a large number in the district about Pittwater. To-day, all these will be transported to Great Mackerel Beach, where they are to take part in scenes depicting the landing of Governor Phillip.The settings for Governor Phillip's camp have been faithfully reproduced from sketches prepared by Mr. Ray Lindsay from original sources in the Mitchell Library and elsewhere. Much difficulty has been experienced, however, in damming the small stream which flows from the hills to the beach, and which is Intended to represent the historic Tank Stream of Circular Quay. Several hundred bags, to be filled with sand for that purpose, were sent from Sydney yesterday. Hitherto, the tides have moved all the sandbags available at Pittwater.It is hoped to make a start with the crowd scenes at Pittwater this morning. The film should be sufficiently advanced by the end of the week to be taken to Melbourne by Mr.Chauvel for "cutting." RE-ENACTING SCENES FROM THE FIRST SETTLEMENT. (1934, October 25). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 16. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28021154

THAT enterprising couple, the Charles Chauvels, have found the quaintest little beach. In among the rocks and tea-tree, high above Mackerel Beach, near Pittwater, from which they will be able to keep an eye on the extras to be utilised in finishing their film, "Heritage," and, incidentally, the social-lights across the bay at Palm Beach. And what do you think they found there? Pasted on the front verandah was a large photograph of a group of those luscious Mack Sennett bathing girls, just too, too Mae Westy for words. It quite brought Charles' 'Hollywood days back to him when ho used to scamper round as one of Douglas Fairbanks' publicity men. Incidentally, this week Pittwater will resound to the commands of Governor Phillip's military, and the curses of his convict men. Nevertheless, Mrs. Chauvel thinks her little pill-box on the hill is the most restful spot since she left the Blue Lagoon in Tahiti. Catty Communications (1934, October 27). Smith's Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950), p. 21. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article235490112

Frank Barnett, 3, was drowned at Great Mackerel Beach, near Palm Beach, on Saturday. The boy, who was holidaying at the beach with members of the family, who live in Grafton Avenue, Naremburn, fell into the water from a jetty. BOY DROWNED NEAR PALM BEACH(1945, April 23). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17936624

… After leaving Manly, a most interesting drive can be made to Pittwater, near Narrabeen. There is good accommodation at Rock Lily, as well us at Newport, which stands at the head of Pittwater. Barranjoey Lighthouse and the entrance to Broken Bay are not far distant, and some excellent fishing can be obtained in the bays adjacent to Newport.

Net fishermen long ago killed the Basin as a whiting and bream haunt of repute, but outside it the fish are still occasionally caught. This is one of the first places near Sydney whence the whiting used to be reported, and it is still possible before the netters get to. work, and in the deep water beyond their limit, to snare a few of the tasty fish. At the entrance to the Basin in times gene by splendid hauls used to be. caught. . . THE BASIN, PITTWATER. (1906, August 29). Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), , p. 11. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120326946

Messrs. Fraser, McKeown, Long and Goodwin, during a ten days' camp near the Basin (Pittwater) struck a rich variety of fish, including red bread of takeable size, black bream, flathead and a 71b black rock cod. During one heavy thunderstorm a flock of terns was killed, probably by hail, and their bodies were washed up on the beach. ROD AND LINE (1922, December 17). Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930), p. 13. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128220598

THE BASIN

MAN INTERFERES WITH NATURE TRUST INVITES SUGGESTIONS

Nature unadorned and unaided by her highest animal development sometimes blunders, and humanity sometimes blunders in trying to help her. In most of her domains Nature discords symmetry and arranges her beauties in orderly confusion, but when man tries to help her to readjust her boundaries, he unfortunately generally thinks and plans in straight lines — harsh utilitarian contours— that rob her of her pristine loveliness. At the basin in the Pittwater Arm of Broken Bay Nature has given humanity a rich inheritance, and, because one of her elements has been breaking the bounds of others, mankind, as represented by the Kuring-gai Park Trust, has come to her assistance, with success in some respects, and with artistic failure in others. The Basin has been misbehaving itself. Ordinarily it is a delectable lake-like expanse of deep marine water, nestled in a huge amphitheatre clothed with eucalypts and other rich forest growths, -situated - near the mouth of the Pittwater Arm of Broken Bay, on the Kuring-gai Chase. During many years, however, it has been quietly eating into part of the peninsula that nearly encloses it, and the trust has felt called upon to protest. In doing this the Trust has done well, but its aid has been chiefly solid and mathematical, rather than artistic. When it builds a retaining wall it forgets that exactly the same rigidity may be achieved by curves and irregularities of upper structure as by lines of block masonry. The artistic conception is dwarfed by the useful and '; possibly the expedient. Much splendid work has been done, and is still being done, under the direction of the trust in and outside the. Basin. The channel entrance, which was threatened with shoaling by the sand from a little outer bay, is now protected, and. probably something more will be done to pro-vent tile Basin from cutting further into the peninsula from inside. Across the outer Inlet a retaining wall of sandstone blocks has been constructed, but provision has not been made for the scour from the hills to get rapidly away, and the consequence is that the reclaimed land is often a knee-deep bog. A channel to let the water away is needed, and the lines of the wall itself should be in keeping with nature's beautiful outlines round the Basin. Only in basalt country does one see squares and oblongs, and' the country round this attractive spot is not basalt, but irregular sandstone, with intrusions of other rooks. To relieve the 'uncouth symmetry -of the retaining wall, natural rock buttresses might have been substituted for the top ungraceful oblongs.

ALRIGHT IN TIME.

Mr. Harrison, secretary of the trust, maintains that the wall has improved one of tho . camping 'grounds just outside the channel entrance, and that in time the land at present boggy just inside the wall will drain and give more well-grassed camping space. He says that most of the yachtsmen and motor-boat owners who frequently visit the Basin are pleased with a newly-erected wharf and shelter-shed near the littlo southern outer beach, even if it has spoiled a fisherman's hauling ground. The main outer beach is not being touched.

RUSTICITY SACRIFICED.

The red-roofed shelter is certainly a pleasant color relief to the rest of the structures, and on the whole the artistic sense of visitors is not outraged by that improvement. - Inside the' basin a wharf has -been completed. It, too, is needed, but it is at present ..devoid of grace. It is not perhaps too late for the suggestion of some regular visitors to be acted, upon, that it be given a rustic finish. Utility may be combined with grace by the utilisation of natural timber shapes, instead of sawn rectangular timbers. Even sawn triangles look better than quadrilaterals in certain places.

SWIMMERS' WANTS.

Another Improvement meditated is an enclosure for swimmers in. the basin near the new wharf. This is necessary; but again, the wall proposed to be erected is to be topped by quadrilaterals, and be an evidence of the acquaintance of mankind with Euclid's squares, instead of Nature’s harmonious irregularities. It is not too late for the trust to instruct its workmen to construct the wall so that its top, at least, may be rocks from the hillside, and not a footworn horizontal pathway. It is not necessary for anyone to walk along it, but if of squared masonry It will invite wandering feet. .

DIFFERING OPINIONS.

At the seaward end of the outer beach, where parties find safe swimming water, the trustees are proposing to place another wharf of stone, and to run from it a netting to prevent sharks entering a bathing enclosure. Opinions amongst yachters and motor-boaters vary respecting this. Some condemn the proposals entirely; preferring the natural surroundings. Others say the idea is good, as they have always felt they would like to swim in a bit deeper water, but they feared the huge sea-sharks that swim around Barranjoey and West Head and chase whiting and red-bream up into the Basin. The trustees are not obstinately wedded to any proposal. Inquiry shows that they welcome ideas, especially artistic ones allied with practicability, but they do not have them given to them often. They find critics wait till something is done, and then fall upon it with scorn. Any yachtsman, therefore, who has a thorough appreciation of the necessities of the Basin and puts his ideas into writing, will receive attention. For instance, another improvement meditated is the planting of trees about tho 20 acres surrounding Peggy's house. The trees on the camping area are not as beautiful as they might be. One proposal before the trustees was to plant an avenue of pines along tho outer edge of the camping ground — the straight line business again— and another to plant here and there a few silverbark tea trees, Port Jackson fig trees, and flame trees. The latter proposal seems to find the greater favor amongst those who visit the Basin oftenest.

WATER FOR CAMPERS.

One thing needed greatly has apparently not yet been authorised by the trustees, and that is a cement water well, . as Irregular in shape as may be possible, on' the line of the little creek at the northern end of the peninsula. Once the old users of the place had a cask there to hold the water, but it has fallen to pieces, and in dry weather campers have to pull a long way across the Basin to a spring up the hill-side. No doubt the trustees will see to this. They are anxious to please and anxious to adorn, not to disfigure nature. By the way, nobody wants to shift Peggy, who has a life tenancy of part of the peninsula at 1s a year rental, and who is one of the picturesque identities of the place. She is Mrs. Mary Ann Morris, and she has lived , there for 47 years. THE BASIN (1915, May 30). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 23. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229334724

THE BASIN, BARRANJOEY. 1903The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser

This shows how wide the entrance to The Basin was and why steamers may have been able to access the 'Inner Basin' or 'Blind Cove' as shown in the 1883 sketch above.

A FAVOURITE HOLIDAY RESORT

THE BASIN, BROKEN BAY

A FISHERMAN'S HOME AT THE BASIN, WHERE MRS. MORRIS HAS RESIDED FOR 37 YEARS.

MRS. MORRIS AND HER PETS.

ENTRANCE TO THE HAWKESBURY RIVER. -THE BARRANJOEY LIGHTHOUSE.

HEAD OF THE BASIN. THE BASIN, BROKEN BAY, NEW SOUTH WALES.

BAY VIEW, PITTWATER. (possibly included here as the photographer was transported to The Basin from the Bayview Wharf)

The photograph was taken from The Basin, an inlet of Pittwater, where for years the various yachting clubs of Sydney used to rendezvous at Easter. Around The Basin; a path has been cut, leading- zig-zag fashion through a wealth of tropical foliage to the Flagstaff -Lookout at Lovett's Bay, whence a beautiful panoramic view is obtained to .the southwards. . Around the foreshores there are a .number of caves', .while the Kuring-gai Chase trustees have built fireplaces and provided shelter-sheds with tables and watertanks, making the region a delightful one for the holiday-maker..There are several ways of reaching The Basin and the surrounding' country, but the easiest from Sydney is by way of Manly and Newport. A good service of motor boats, several .of them run by returned soldiers, make regular trips.CALL OF THE AIR AND THE SEA. (1920, April 28). Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), , p. 9. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article159028149

YACHTSMEN'S FRIEND. THE LATE MRS. MORRIS.

Mrs. Mary Ann Morris, better known to Sydney yachtsmen as "Sally" or "Peggy," died on Monday last at her home at the Basin, Broken Bay, where she had resided for the past 63 years. Her death will be regretted by the yachting fraternity of Sydney, as her hut was a port of call for yachtsmen, when visiting Broken Bay, and they obtained from her supplies of fresh milk and eggs.

Mrs. Morris was the wife of the late Dicey Morris, and, prior to 1867, resided with her husband at Balmoral Beach. About that time her husband sold wood to Admiral Hornby's Flying Squadron during its visit to Sydney, and, with the money thus made, he built the hut at the Basin, Broken Bay, in which Mrs. Morris lived. The couple went to live in this hut at the Basin In 1868, and the husband engaged in fishing there. He did not live long after settling at Broken Bay, and his boat was acquired by a fisherman named Sam Strongman, who also lived at the Basin.

Mrs. Morris kept a few cows and fowls, and was always ready to supply visiting yachts-men with milk and eggs. She also often baked a very welcome damper for them. She adopted three lads at different times, one of whom was with her up to the time of her death. She possessed a good collection of yachting pictures, and recognised every yacht as it dropped anchor In the Basin. Her memory for faces was also very good, and she never forgot the owner of a yacht which had visited the Basin.

She was known to many as "Peggy," while to others she was better known as "Sally." Amongst the oldest members of the yachting fraternity who were well acquainted with Mrs. Morris were the late Mr. H. C. Dangar, the late Mr. James Milson, the late Mr. Grafton Ross, the late Mr. Jack Want, and the late Sir James Fairfax and their various successors, including Mr. F. J. Jackson, who owned the property at the back of the reservation which was subsequently resumed by the Kuringgai Chase Trust.YACHTSMEN'S FRIEND. (1921, June 9 - Thursday).The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), , p. 9. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15960831

"PEGGY' MEMORIAL

The memorial. In the form of a sundial, erected by Sydney yachtsmen- at "The Basin," Pittwater, to the late Mrs. Morris, well known to all visitors to Broken Bay as "Peggy" will be unveiled at noon tomorrow (Easter Sunday) by Mr. Alfred G. Milson. A large fleet of yachts and cruising craft journeyed to tho Bay for tho Easter holidays, and a good muster of yachtsman is expected at the function. Mr. Paul Ross, commodore R.P.A. Y.C.. is hon, treasurer to the fund, and will be pleased to receive further contributions, as the amount already subscribed Is far from sufficient to cover expenses. "PEGGY' MEMORIAL (1922, April 16). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), , p. 7. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223948591

PEGGY OF THE BASIN.

A sundial mounted on a trachyte pedestal was unveiled as a memorial to the late Mrs. Morris at The Basin, Pittwater, Broken Bay, on Easter Sunday by Mr. Arthur Milson, of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, in the presence of a number of yachtsmen, by whom the funds for its erection were subscribed. Mrs. Morris, who was known to and respected by sailing men as Peggy, lived at The Basin for many years, and was a general favorite. She made it her business and pleasure in life to see to. the comfort of the campers at that favored spot, and her death last year was a great loss to frequenters of the place. PEGGY OF THE BASIN. (1922, April 26).Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), , p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127924554

IN HONOUR OF 'SALLY.'

At the Basin, Broken Bay, recently, a sun-dial was unveiled by Mr. A. G. Milson in the presence of a large number of boating men in honour of the late Mrs. Morris ('Sally'), who for: very many years was a friend of the yachtsmen who visited that beautiful spot-. No title (1922, May 10). Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), , p. 32. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169770154

The objection raised by yachtsmen to the Kuring-gai Chase Trust's proposal to close the Inner Basin, Pittwater, against yachts and launches, and to reserve it for the exclusive Use of bathers, evoked the reply from the trustees that they had been driven reluctantly to consider such a proposal by the action of yachtsmen themselves. The basin is almost entirely enclosed, and there is practically no scour by the tides. Sanitary conveniences have been provided on shore by the trustees, but, it is stated, the obvious requirements of the situation have been ignored by most owners of craft using the basin. The result has been to create within the pool so serious a nuisance that the only alternative appears to be the closing of the basin altogether. Before reaching a final decision, the trustees intend to confer with the committee of the Pittwater Yacht Club. INNER BASIN, PITTWATER. (1934, November 12). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17138900

"Looking along water towards two men walking across wooden bridge". Inscribed on album page next to image: "The netting under the footbridge keeps the sharks from the bathing-pool on this side. The rock in the foreground is jagged with oysters." [ca. 1926-ca. 1928].by Gladys E. Moss, 1900-1950, photographer. "The Basin; Pittwater" - Title inscribed on album page beneath image. Courtesy State Library of Victoria - also described as 'an inlet of Cowan creek' for Image No.: 701711211

THE BASIN, PITTWATER.

Mr. A. D. Walker, commodore of the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Broken Bay branch, said yesterday that opposition was being expressed to the proposed closing, by the Kuring-gai Chase Trust, of the Basin, Pittwater. More than 200 yachtsmen and their crews attended a meeting of protest, and a petition had been sent .to the Minister for Lands. Many public bodies, and aquatic clubs had expressed opposition. He had received copies of many letters sent to the Minister, objecting to the trust's proposed action.

Mr. Walker said that during the Christmas holidays his club appointed a committee to investigate statements made by Mr. Orchard, chairman of the trust, about yachtsmen polluting the Basin. It found that the allegations were Incorrect, and that large parties were swimming in the baths without complaints of any kind. The committee discovered that the trust granted permits for a number of .well-conducted camps on the flat, for which It charged 5/ a tent a week. THE BASIN, PITTWATER. (1935, January 8). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 10. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17137390

TO CONFER - Pittwater Closure

The honorary secretary of the Parks and Playgrounds Movement (Mr. C. E. W. Bean), said to-day that the Minister for Lands had informed him that he was calling a conference of the trustees of Kuring-gai chase, and three representatives of yacht clubs and other objectors to the proposed closing of the Inner basin at Pittwater. Pollution of the water is the reason for proposing to close the basin. Yachting bodies, supported by the movement, have asked the trustees to keep the basin open In the Interests of the boating public. TO CONFER (1935, February 8). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 11 (FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230271797

The Thomas Wilson Family

CATTLE STEALING.

John Farrell (the younger) appeared to answer a charge for that he did, on the 4th day of August, 1870, at Pittwater, feloniously steal, take, and carry away a cow, the property of Thomas Wilson.

The prisoner, who pleaded "not guilty," was defended by Mr. D. Buchanan, instructed by the prisoner's attorney,Mr. Richard Driver. Mr. G. F. Davis conducted the case for the Crown.

This case was a charge of cattle stealing at Pittwater, previously tried, at the end of which the jury seised of the case did not agree, and were eventually discharged. The particulars were, for the most part, the very same as those of the former trial, which, it will be remembered, was very fully reported in this newspaper. The witnesses for the Crown were Thomas Wilson, William B. Hassard, Çharles Leek, senior, John Leek, Charles Leek, junior, senior-constable Bromfield, senior-constable John Carton, Alfred Wilson, George Marshall, James Wilson, Thomas Playfair, and Mr. W. M. Brownrigg. The evidence for the defence was John Farrell (the father of the prisoner), James Farrell (the prisoner's brother), Sarah Anne Farrell (the prisoner's sister), John Boyle, James Wheeler, James Wheeler, jun., John Murray, William Murray, and Thomas James Foley. The evidence of the first threeof these witnesses went to contradict the statement of the Leeks, and to account for the meat found by the police, and relied upon as proof of the charge brought. The rest of the witnesses gave evidence as to character.

Mr. BUCHANAN addressed the Court for the defence at some considerable length.

Mr. DAVIS replied.

His HONOR summed up.

The jury retired to deliberate at 9.20 p.m.

The jury reappeared in Court at half-past 9, and re-turned a verdict of guilty.

The counsel for the Crown prayed judgment.

His HONOR said that before he proceeded to pass a sentence on the prisoner he desired to look into his notes respecting a case tried by him in 1865, in which the prisoner’s name appeared.

Priscilla arrived here on November 9th, 1840 at age 16yrs as a bounty immigrant aboard "Royal Consort".

Bounty immigrants were free immigrants whose passage was paid by the colonial government under the `bounty scheme'. Under this scheme, an incentive or reward (i.e. bounty) was paid to recruiting agents in Britain to find suitable skilled labour and tradespeople, then ship them out to the new colony.

The Royal Consort, 529 tons, Westren, with emigrants, was advertised to sail from Gravesend on the 5th and from Plymouth on the 10th of July for Port Phillip and Sydney. VESSELS ENTERED OUTWARDS. (1840, October 6). The Colonist (Sydney, NSW : 1835 - 1840), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31725738

The Royal Consort arrived yesterday, with two hundred and forty five bounty emigrants, all in very good health; one adult and nine children died during the passage. She spoke the following vessels on her passage: - Anne Mary, from Liverpool to Sydney. in latitude41 ° 58N longitude, 11 ° W on the 2nd of August. On the 29th of August spoke of the Dutch ship Prince Hendrick, all well latitude, 33 4'N , longitude, 18°6' 50 W bound to Batavia. October 4th in latitude 39 ° 21 10 ' & , longitude 41 ° 4 V 1 spoke the Dutch barque Margaretta Christina bound from Texel Batavia, all well, out eighty days On the 13th of September passed the, French barque La Amelia, from Bordeaux to Bourbon mid Mauritius m latitude 30 ° 36 S , longitude , 1 i °1V4I'W October 24th at 45 minutes past 4, a m , passed a ship's bowsprit, appeared to have belonged to some vessel whose burthen would be from 350 to 400 tons painted white, with bowsprit shroud, dead eyes & c attached carried away about the gammong , latitude, 40 20' S longitude, 120 ° 50 I Between the longitude of 118° L and ...saw great numbers of spermwhales it passed in longitude 121 ° L two whalers trying out. SHIP NEWS. (1840, November 10). The Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831 - 1842), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12866434

Although the NSW BDM marriage year is recorded as 1870, well after all their children were born, Thomas and Priscilla officially married at this time.

WILSON - The Relatives and Friends of the Family of the late MRS. SARAH PRISCILLA WILSON are kindly invited to attend her Funeral; to leave the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Pauline Goulding, 29 Willoughby St, North Sydney, this AFTERNOON at 2 pm. for Gore Hill Cemetery. WOOD, COFFIL AND COMPANY LTD. Family Notices (1915, May 15). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15580674

Thomas Wilson was tried at Montgomery Road on 17 October 1833 and was sentenced to seven years. Convicted for Assault & Robbery.

He sailed on the convict ship Lady Nugent and arrived in the colony in 1835. The Lady Nugent sailed from Sheerness (a port in the Thames River, London) on 4 December 1834, with 286 male passengers on board, and arrived in Sydney on 9 April 1835. He was sent to Prospect to work for William Lawson, one of the explorers of the Blue Mountains. On 29th May 1839 he was granted a ticket of leave, six months before his sentence was completed. He served this final part of his seven year sentence with the one master, who probably resided in the Pittwater District, where his ticket-of-leave was permitted to be served.

He may be the same Thomas Wilson who signed his name to the Petition for the formation of Manly as a Municipality. The family was living in Lane Cove in 1842 and in 1854 in Pittwater. They were living in Manly in 1861 when daughter Mary Jane married.

Mary Jane Wilson married James Tobin on 22nd July 1861. James Tobin, a dairy farmer, lived at Manly Beach, and owned a few properties in what would now be the centre of Manly. On 11th August 1890 James Tobin drowned at Circular Quay:

Drowned at Circular Quay.

The unknown man - who was drowned at the P. and O. Company's Wharf, Circular Quay, on Monday night, has been, identified as James Tobin, dairyman, who had been a resident of Broadview, Manly for the last thirty-five years. Deceased was a married man, 55 years of age, and has left a widow and ten children. Tobin, who was a man of means, left his home at Manly on Monday to go up the line for the purpose of purchasing a farm, but as he did not return home up to yesterday the police were communicated with, and the result was that yesterday afternoon the son identified the clothing and photograph of his father. Drowned at Circular Quay. (1890, August 16 - Saturday). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article113335828

The 'son' was William.

THE FRIENDS of Mrs JANE TOBIN are respectfully Invited to attend the Re-Interment of her beloved HUSBAND, James Tobin, late of Manly, TOMORROW (Wednesday) AFTERNOON, at 2 o'clock p.m., from Redfern lo Rookwood Cemetery.

THE FRIENDS of WILLIAM, JOHN, and MICHAEL TOBIN are respectfully invited to attend the Re-Interment of their beloved BROTHER, James Tobin, late of Manly, TO-MORROW (Wednesday) AFTERNOON, 2 p.m., from Redfern for Rookwood Cemetery.

THE FRIENDS of Mr J. O'CONNELL are respectfully Invited to attend the Re-lnterment of his beloved UNCLE, James Tobin, late of Manly, TO-MORROW (Wednesday) AFTERNOON, 2 p.m., from Redfern for Rookwood Cemetery.

THE FRIENDS of WILLIAM, JOHN, and MICHAEL TOBIN are respectfully Invited to attend the Re-Interment of their beloved BROTHER, James Tobin, late of Manly, TO-MORROW (Wednesday) AFTERNOON, 2 p.m., from Redfern for Rookwood. Family Notices (1890, August 19). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13775170

In 1897 Mary Jane married Richard Louis Saillard. Mary Jane died on 12th July 1924 in Manly Cottage Hospital aged 81, and is buried in the Roman Catholic section of Manly Cemetery.

... was also fined 5s., with costs, for using abusive language to the same complainant. Mary Wilson, ... Pittwater, was charged with stealing and driving away fourteen cows and three calves, the property of James Therry, of the same place, and John Farrell, Thomas Collins, Mary Ann Farrell, and Lavinia ... 233 words

Some of the early Pittwater pioneers were buried at the site of the first St John the Baptist Church of England, Pittwater, alongside the original Church (1871 – 1888).

In 1958, with the help of an early drawing of St John’s and Boulton’s Farm and early maps of the area, the original site of the Church was rediscovered by the Grandson of the Rev. Stoddart, and the local historian, Percy Gledhill. Two gravestones were uncovered and were moved to the grounds of the present Church. The gravestones were for:

William Frederick Stark

Accidentally killed during the erection

of the new Barrenjoey Lighthouse

Wed. 16th Feb. 1881

Aged 25 Years

and

Annie Priscilla Wilson

Aged 2 Years (1880 – 1882)

Dearly loved daughter of Frances and Thomas Wilson

Thomas (son) married Frances (born 1852) in 1870 Oliver (Fanny)

A report in the Australian Churchman of 9th January, 1870 states that “The Rev. Guerney at his farewell thanked Mr Wilson for the use of his home as a place of worship”. (Source: “Manly & Pittwater, Its Beauty and Progress”. P.W. Gledhill). This would have been Thomas Wilson Snr.

NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages records of the children with parents named Thomas and Frances Wilson - those in bold are likely to be the offspring of the children - the others listed are not confirmed:

WILSON THOMAS WILLIAM 5329/1870 THOMAS FRANCES ST LEONARDS

WILSON HENRY EDWARD 5262/1872 THOMAS FRANCES ST LEONARDS

WILSON FRANCES M 5928/1875 THOMAS FRANCES ST LEONARDS

WILSON EMMA 6381/1876 THOMAS FRANCES ST LEONARDS

WILSON UNNAMED 7089/1878 THOMAS FRANCES ST LEONARDS

WILSON JOHN 26173/1879 THOMAS FRANCES WOLLONGONG

WILSON GEORGE HENRY 27555/1880 THOMAS FRANCES WOLLONGONG

WILSON ANNIE PRISCILLA 8341/1880 THOMAS FRANCES MANLY

WILSON EMILY J 9619/1882 THOMAS FRANCES MANLY

WILSON EDNA 21168/1883 THOMAS FRANCES WOONONA

WILSON OLIVE 24656/1886 THOMAS FRANCES WOONONA

WILSON ELIZA A 13055/1886 THOMAS FRANCES MANLY

WILSON FREDERICK J 10464/1889 THOMAS FRANCES MANLY

WILSON RUBY M 21129/1891 THOMAS FRANCES MANLY

At the Church of England, Newport, a wedding took place on May 31, when Mrs.W. Smith (widow of the late Mr.W. W. Smith, and second daughter of Mr.George Nash) was married to Mr. Ernest Wilson, third son of Mr. Thomas Wilson, of Pittwater, by the Rev. B. Elwen. The bride wore heliotrope satin, with Honiton lace, and wreath and veil, and carried a shower bouquet. Three bridesmaids were in attendance(Miss "Letty" Smith, only daughter of the bride, and the two Misses Graves). Mr. W.Johnson acted as best man, and Mr. W. Graves as groomsman. The wedding breakfast was served in a large marquee at the residence of the bride.

Nancy Wilson was born in 1852, the daughter of Thomas and Priscilla (Sarah) Wilson.

Fisherman Drowned.

The Manly police were informed on Sunday night that the body of a fisherman named Albert Turner, who lived at Stockpoint, Careel Bay, Fittwater, had been found that morning in Broken Bay, near Hazeldon. On Friday last Turner visited his brother in law Thomas Wilson at Bayview, and in the evening deceased left the house to return home in his sailing boat. Next day the boat was found on the rocks, with the sails set, by a man named Ball, and, believing that Turner had been drowned, a search was at once instituted, with . the result that hia body was found on Sunday morning. Deceased leaves a widow and seven children. Fisherman Drowned. (1892, May 9).Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 6. Retrieved January 24, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article112947928

After Albert Henry Turner’s death, Nancy married John Shepherd Mulford of Careel Bay in 1895. John arrived in Sydney on 9th Apr 1886 aboard the Mariposa, from San Francisco.. Soon after her first husband's death they go to live at Little Mackarel Beach, Pittwater and have two children, Castille and John Elmer.

Date of Death 6 May 1892

Age at Death 45 years

Place of Death Marine Death. Drowned in Pittwater/ Broken Bay whilst returning home to Stokes Point from Bayview.

Notice/Report of

Death/Funeral

“Last night information was given to the Manly Police that the body of a man named Albert Turner, fisherman of Stokes Point, Careel Bay Pittwater, was found that morning in Broken Bay near …..? It seems that Turner on Friday afternoon had been on a visit to his brother-in-law, Thomas Wilson, who resides at Bay View Cottage, Bay View. He had been out fishing during the week in a sailing boat after having visited his brother-in-law was seen off in the boat on Friday night.

Nothing more was heard of him until his boat was found ashore on the rocks by a person named Henry Ball, with the sails set, but unoccupied. On this news reaching Turner’s friends they immediately went in search of him.

His body was found by Thomas Oliver in the water, about a quarter of a mile from where the boat was discovered. It is surmised that deceased must have fallen out of the boat. Turner leaves a widow and seven children.”

(SMH Monday 9 May 1892 P.5)

“A magisterial inquiry was held by the city Coroner at Pittwater, on Monday, on the body of the man Albert Turner, who was found drowned on the rocks at Broken Bay on Sunday morning. No fresh particulars were elicited, and a finding of accidentally drowned was recorded.” (SMH Wednesday 11 May 1892 P.7)

On the marriage document of Eugene Goulding and Pauline Wilson it is listed that he was born in Ireland however this is not the case as he was born in Parramatta. Could be that his father William was Irish.

John Farrell, junior, on remand, was charged with having a portion of a carcase of a stolen beast in his possession, the property of Thomas Wilson. Senior-constable Carton, stationed at Manly Beach, gave evidence corroborative of sergeant Bloomfield :

By Mr. Driver: Wilson complained of losing cattle. He also complained of losing a horse by shooting through the head. The horse reported to witness as being shot, he saw dead. Has had many conversations with prisoner's father. The beef was taken out of the cask and put in again. Witness wished to have it weighed. The steelyards wore there, but prisoner said the pea was lost. Defendant did not get the pea and give it to him. Bloomfield did not say ho could not weigh with steelyards. Witness would swear he did not see the pen. Could not say that prisoner appeared reluctant in answering questions. Ho did not say that he was going to wash him-self. He was shaking very much. He said it was from the cold. He did not hesitate to answer any questions. Did not say anything to him about answering questions. Witness did not say, " If you don't answer my questions and mind what you are about, in half-on-hour I'll have you by the wool." He was on the road all that night. ' He left Manly after twelve o'olock at night. He had a glass of grog before he left home, another at Wilson's, and some from a Husk that Wilson had with him. He was perfectly sober when he went to ' Farrell's. He may have smelt of liquor. He took sundry glasses before he commenced to search. He may have staggered when walking through Farrell’s house. He saw Farréll's brothers and sisters, and they had a good opportunity of seeing him. Witness does not drink much, he can't afford it. He does not take drink for nothing, although he took it from Wilson. Swears he did not take the branding-iron in his hand and place it on the safe, and ask, "If that is the way it is you put oaf" The steelyards were hanging; in the skillion. The pig that he saw was divided into two parts. He saw it in the barn on the Monday night. He has been engaged in garden work for a couple of years, but not in farming pursuits. He could not swear that the calf he saw had not been slipped. Could not swear that the paunch he saw was not that of a pig. He only judges from the masticated food in it. He has talked about the case very often. Knows another Farrell, a farmer. There is an old man in charge of the farm. He went there to search for prisoner. He also went to Mr. Hellery's, at Middle Harbour, to execute a search warrant, but did not execute it. The only search they made there was to look into the beef cask. The search warrant was obtained on his (witness's) information.

He has the warrant in court. It is granted the 9th of August, 1870. Mr. Smithers granted it. Does not know where the information is. On leaving the house, he did not hear Bloomfield call out to prisoner don't shoot any more cattle. Heard Bloomfield ask Farrell when ho killed the last beast, He replied. "Three or four weeks." Can't say that Bloomfield asked him if he could not say exactly. Bloomfield did not ask him if he killed a cow at Narrabeen.

Thomas Wilson, n farmer, residing at Monavale, Pitt Water, deposed that he saw prisoner on the fourth of this month, on horseback. Witness was in the road walking homo. He saw prisoner riding round some cattle of his and heading them up. Prisoner was on his (witness’s) farm then. Witness was talking to a man named Leek, and observed prisoner driving the cattle over the hill towards his" (prisoner's) place. Witness just came from the herd, and noticed the cattle. He did not notice' any particular one more than another. He noticed them all. The heifer in question was about four years old, and was red and white. He missed her the next day. She was heavy in calf, and was "ear marked," and no other brand. She was amongst the mob prisoner was driving. Have not seen her since, but looked for her the next day (Friday) in the same place that he saw her the previous day, but did not find her. He saw all the others there, and on Saturday morning he went out with his son and searched from nine o'clock until dark. He saw where the cattle had been driven over the bridge that separates the two farms. It rained on the Wednesday and he tracked where they were driven buck. Followed the tracks to within three or four hundred yards of prisoner's house. He also saw a horse track going and returning, following the cattle tracks. After making these searches he applied for a search warrant, and obtained one on his sworn information. The following Sunday he accompanied sergeant Bloomfield and constable Carton to prisoner's house. He heard the constable caution him, and asked him if he had any fresh moat about the house. After-wards found some meat in a cask. Prisoner said he got it from Wilson, the butcher, at Manly. Whilst the constables were searching, witness saw prisoner shake his head at a little boy, and he went out to the stock-yard as hard as he could go. Witness ran after him and saw him covering over something with cornstalks. Witness pulled the cornstalks from off the things, and found a young calf, and portions of the inside, under them. They seemed to be quite fresh. The calf was within six weeks of maturity. He has had thirty-five yours' experience amongst cattle. The appearance of the calf showed that it had been taken from the cow.

Had cautioned prisoner scores of times not to go on his run shooting and hunting, and went to his father’s house five or six week ago to complain of him. Never saw him on the run without a waddy, toma-hawk, or gun. He went to prisoner about cattle that he had lost before. Prisoner was never employed by witness. They did not visit each others places.

By Mr. Driver : Had experience in cattle at Kent, England. Knew about cows before he went to "Wheeler's. From there he went to the bason. He was occupied there in fishing, for about six or seven years. He devoted his time there to breeding of cattle. He is rather hard of hearing. His sight is very good, considering his age. He is forty-six. Has not been mistaken on any occasion the last two or three months. Dont't recollect the 2nd of April last. Don't remember reporting that he lost a black heifer on that day. His memory is pretty good. He told constable Carton then that young Farrell had been seen the previous day trespassing and dodging round his cows, but won't swear it. Might have told his father so, and if he did, he told the truth. He made a complaint to Cherry that ha lost a red bullock that he purchased at Lane Cove. He never told anybody that it was killed at Pitt Water. Cherry sent him word that it had strayed back. Farrell, senior, was the first man to inform him where the bullock was.

-The court adjourned for lunch, and on its resumption, Mr. Driver continued the cross-examination : He saw young Farrell on the Little Reef Hill. He saw Leek working on the road when he spoke to him. It might be 600 or 700 yards away. It was from there he saw young Farrell. Cannot recollect whether there was any rain on the Thursday. It is not generally a sandy country. Sometimes large mobs of cattle run on his farm. As near, as he could guess, there was about thirty head of his cattle there. Did not go on his land. The bridge that he tracked the cattle across is about twelve or fourteen feet wide. He tracked them on the soft country. Constable Carton culled at his house towards Sunday morning.' Witness put a bottle containing brandy on the table. Can't say if Carton drank any. He took about three nobblers in a Husk to Farrell's. Carton drank some of that. Prisoner denied having fresh meat when asked by Sergeant Bloomfield, but afterwards showed the police some meat in a cask. Saw steelyards there. Bloomfield asked if anybody could weigh with the steelyards. Did not hoar Farrell say that he could. Bloomfield asked witness if he could weigh with steelyards. They were got, but the pea was not an them ; it was produced after-wards ; young Farrell threw it, and said, " Here it is." On being questioned by the police, Farrell said he got it all from the butcher at Manly. He has no ill-feeling towards the Farrells. After they killed his dog with an axe he shook hands with them and made it up.

To the Bench : The farms are not fenced in. Prisoner's house is about a mile and a half from witness's ; there is no boundary fence.

-James Wilson, butcher at Manly Beach, stated : Remembers sergeant Bloomfield going to him und inquiring about some meat; it was on a Sunday early in this month. He never sold prisoner any meat ; his shopman sold fifty pounds of salt meat to prisoner's father and mother. Can't say if it was sent to Pitt Water. The sale was effected on the 29th of July. Bloomfield showed him some meat at the watch-house ; they were rounds, and briskets It was neither fresh nor salt ; it appeared to him to have been put in pickle. One piece looked like his beef. It was not cut up as butchers usually cut up meat. It did not appear to have been put in good pickle. It would have kept as well without the pickle as with it in the same state as he saw it. Prisoner sent him a hide on the 15th of July. He sent up some before, but none since. Witness got the last hide from his (prisoner's) mother.

-By Mr. Driver : Has had experience in the butchering.' Farrell's family occasionally dealt with him. They have bought both fresh and salt meat in largo quantities. Beef would keep a long time in this weather. Persons unacquainted with the process of curing meat, and taking up a piece of it, would say it was corn beef. Beef taken out of pickle and placed in bags, and conveyed some distance,' would, by knocking about, probably look fresher than it was. He saw some pork amongst it.

-By the Bench : The meat that Bloomfield showed him was leaner than what the fifty pounds was that he sold to Farrell's mother. It takes three or four days to properly corn and press beef.

By Mr. Driver : He did not see the beef weighed and sent away.

-George Marshall: Sold fifty pounds of salt beef on the 29th July to prisoner's father. Has seen the meat that was seized at prisoner's place (at Manly Beach police-station). He could pick out a piece or two that he sold ; it did not all look alike. He saw about 1001b of meat. Does not believe that the rest of the beef, with the exception of one or two pieces, was that sold by him. The mass of beef that he saw differed very much ; it was-not so salt; it was differently cut up, that is another reason why he thinks it is not the same, The meat he saw was the meat of a small beast. He never bought beef from prisoner.' At the time he saw the meat he believed it had been in pickle for twenty four hours.

-By Mr. Driver : He could not tell how long it had been killed. Very likely it might keep a month this weather. Would sworn that he has not been speaking to Mr. Bloomfield outside the court. Has been butchering about thirteen years. Some of the meat he saw was sold to Farrell's people. Carrying meat out of pickle would alter its appearance materially.

-To the Bench : The meat he saw was lean, and did not correspond with the meat he sold.

- Charles Leek, a roadmaker at Pitt Water, knows the prisoner; also knows Wilson. Recollects being with him on the 4th of this month. Saw prisoner on horseback driving cattle. He went out of witness's sight. Does not know what direction he was going. He was on the top of the hill, a good distance from where he was at work.

-By. Mr." Driver : It was between four and five o'clock in the afternoon. He was about a quarter of a mile away. Can't tell how ho was dressed. He was riding a bay horse Don't know how it was branded. Swear point blank it was him. If he saw Mr. Driver as many times at he has seen prisoner he could toll him. He may have been a mile away, from Wilson's house. He was more than three hundred yards away from Wilson's house. It might be three-quarters of a mile He was working alongside the telegraph line. Swears there was more than ten posts between where he was working and Wilson's house.

-To Mr Windeyer : He is positive it was prisoner. He is not mistaken about him at all. He was with him the night before. The court adjourned at four o'clock until Monday next, at eleven o'clock. Bail extended.

John Farrell appealed on remand, charged with having a portion of a stolen beast in his possession. Thomas Playfair, butcher, Sydney, gave similar evi- dence to that given by Wilson, butcher, of Manly Beach.

Alfred Wilson deposed : I drove the cart containing the meat, seized by constable Broomfield, from prisoner's house to Manly Beach, the water did not touch the beef whilst the cart was being drawn throught the lagoon.

By Mr. Driver : The water of the lagoon came to the tail of the cart ; it might have touched the bottom of the bags containing the meat ; after being brought from Farrell's house to our house the meat was turned out of the bags. This being the case for the prosecution, Mr. Driver asked the Bench what was the charge he had to answer, and being informed that it was for having a poition of the carcase of a stolen beast in his possession, he called

James Wilson, butcher, of Manly Beach, who deposed : I have given evidence for the prosecution in this case ; prisoner's father had bought on an average of 40 or 50 lbs. meat a week from me.

George Marshall, resworn, deposed : I have previously given evidence in this case, and in stating that I sold some meat to prisoner's father on the 29th July, I made a mistake, as upon looking over the books suite, I find that it was on the 23rd : huge quantities of meat have been pur-chased at our shop by the Farrells, and it has always been delivered at their house at Manly ; the lot sold on the 23rd July was 50 lbs. : there is also an entry made by my employer of 50 lbs sold to Farrell on the 29th, but I do not kuow whether it refers to the same meat sold on the 23rd, I think it does.

John Farrell deposed : I own some property at Pitt Water ; I have several farms and some stock ; prisoner is my son, and lives on one of the farms ; everything on the place belongs to me ; I know Mr. Thomas Wilson, of Mona Vale, he spoke to me about my son in April, when Messrs. Foley and Murray, and my wife, were present ; he said that he was sorry he had to complain about my son, who, he said, was continually trespassing on his place, and hunting his cattle ; witness asked him when he was there last ; and he said, yesterday morning ; witness said, are yon sure ; and he said yes, he could not be mistaken ; as he was seen by those who knew him well ; witness told him that he had made a mistake, for on yesterday morning he was on board the steamer on his way to Sydney ; he then said, "Well, if it was not him it must have been somebody else ;" when I said that my son was on board the steamer going to Sydney, it was true ; at the same conversation Wilson complained that he had lost a black heifer, and prisoner had been seen dogging his cattle ; I have had some years' experience in managing cattle, and the length of the navel cord of a calf depends on the age of the calf and the condition of the cow ; it varies from twelve inches to three feet ; I keep pigs on my farms, and they are turned out into paddocks to get their living ; it is not an unusual thing for pigs to eat grass ; I sometimes get meat from Wilson at Manly Beach, and at other I kill ; I killed a small heofer at my yard at Pitt Water about the last week in July ; about 2 cwt. was left at Pitt Water, and the remainder was sent to Manly ; it was cut up by prisoner ; in July, about the 23rd, I sent down about ½ cwt. of meat, and subsequently I went down and killed the heifer ; meat in July would keep fresh for about a fortnight ; there is a hill between the little reef and the road where Leek works, and it would be impossible to see anybody on the reef from the road ; the meat taken from my place by the police I claim as my property.

James Wheeler deposed : The distance from where Leek works and the little reef ridge is from half a mile to three- quarters of a mile ; the hill on the left hand side obscures a portion of the ridge.

Mr. Windeyer having addressed the Bench, his Worship Mr. Kettle intimated his opinion that the prisoner was not properly before the Court, and the Water Police Magistrate, not being satisfied on some of the points, deferred giving his opinion until Friday in order to go through the evidence again. WATER POLICE COURT. (1870, August 30). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13211321

Death by Drowning.— About 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, a child named Blanche Wilson, aged two and a half years, the daughter of Thomas Wilson, of Mona Vale, Pitt Water, was found drowned is a creek near her father's residence. The deceased was playing with some other children when aha fell in George Smith, Esq., J.P., of Manly Beach, has gone out to hold an inquiry.

CHILD DROWNED. -About 2 o'clock on last Friday afternoon a little girl about three years of age, daughter of Mr. Thomas Wilson, farmer, of Mona Vale, Pitt Water, was found dead in a shallow waterhole near her father's residence. It appears that the poor child was a little before the accident seen playing with some other little children near the waterhole, and it is supposed that she must have overbalanced herself and fallen in.

Her companions were of too tender an age either to render assistance or give the alarm. The melancholy intelligence was communicated to the child's father at the Central Criminal Court, while he was there engaged prosecuting in a case of cattle stealing. On Saturday last, Mr. Smith, J. P., of Manly Beach, went overland to Pitt Water to hold an enquiry into the child's death.The Sydney Morning Herald. (1870, November 14). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13222910

Coroner's Court This Day

DEATH BY DROWNING AT PITT WATER.

An inquest was held by George Smith, Esq., J.P., at Mona Vale, Pitt Water, on Saturday last, to inquire into the death of a child named Blanche Augusta Wilson. — Priscilla Wilson, wife of Thomas Wilson, of Mona Vale, said, on oath, the deceased is her daughter. About 2 o'clock, yesterday afternoon, 11th instant, I left the house to assist in the hay-field, leaving the deceased alive and well in the front garden, which is enclosed by a close paling fence, five feet high. When in the field I saw persons running from the hay-stack towards the water- hole, and imagining something had occurred I ran also towards the waterhole. I found Francis Collins, James Mann, and my son Thomas Wilson, holding and rubbing the wet body of the deceased. It did not appear to have any signs of life, but was very warm. I had the body taken up to the house, stripped, and put into a hot bath, and rubbed for several hours ; but no signs of any breathing ever presented itself. Whilst so engaged, I sent for my ! nearest neighbour, Mr. George M'Intosh, who came over and assisted to restore animation, but without effect. My husband was away; from home at the central criminal court, Darlinghurst, and is there again this day. The deceased was two years and one month old. From the time I left the child at home until I saw its body just taken out of the waterhole, only about fifteen minutes elapsed.

— Nancy Wilson, daughter of last witness, said, about half-past 2 o'clock, after fixing the bonnet of the deceased, in a few minutes missed her, and upon inquiry found she ! had gone out of the garden gate. I went down to the hay-stack, which is about two hundred yards from the garden, and inquired of my brother Thomas if he had seen Blanche. He said no. Hearing some one calling I went to the waterhole, where I saw the deceased, quite wet, in my brother Thomas's arms.

— Thomas Wilson, brother to last witness, said he was assisting to unload the dray at the hay stack, on the afternoon in question, when his sister Nancy came down to inquire if he had seen the deceased. He said no. Samuel Hewitt at the stack then said there is something in the pond. He ran over to the rushes and saw the body of the deceased in the water, which was only about a foot deep, and appearing very green on the surface, which would deceive a child, or even a graver person in walking near the edge, as the grass is very long He helped to get it out and rub it, but it did not appear to have any life.

— Francis Collins, son of John Collins, of Joseph Town, Pitt Water, said, he saw the body of deceased in the green rushes face downwards which was hid by a sun bonnet which had got twisted round her face

— Samuel Hewitt, a farm labourer in the employ of Thomas Wilson, of Mona Vale Farm, said, between 2 and 3 o'clock on the afternoon of the 11th. He was on the top of the hay-stack, and hearing someone ask for the deceased, he looked round, he saw something in the waterhole, and called out to Francis Collins, who ran directly to the spot.

— From the evidence adduced, Mr. Smith was of opinion that the occurrence was purely accidental. Coroner's Court This Day (1870, November 18). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article107134581

The Late Case of Drowning at Pitt Water -

On this day week, Mr. George Smith J.P., of Undercliffe. Manly, held an inquiry at Mona Vale, Pitt Water, respecting the death of a little girl, aged two years and one month, named Blanche Augusta Wilson, who had been found drowned in a waterhole near her father's residence; in which after hearing the evidence he came to the conclusion that the occurrance had been purely accidental. Six witnesses were examined, most of whom gave corroborative evidence either of the finding of the body or of the means resorted to restore animation. Priscilla Wilson, the mother of the child, and wife of Thomas Wilson, farmer of Mona Vale, stated that about 2 o'clock on the after noon of Friday, the 11th instant, she left the house to assist on the hay field, leaving the deceased alive and well in the front garden, which was enclosed by a close paling fence five feet high; when in the field she saw persons running from the haystack towards a waterhole to which she also ran, imagining something had occurred she found Francis Collins, James Warren, and her son Thomas Wilson, holding and rubbing the wet body of the child, which, although very warm, did not appear to have any signs of life ; she had the body taken up to the house, stripped, and put in a hot bath and rubbed for several hours without any sign of breathing presenting itself while engaged in that duty she sent for her nearest neighbour, Mr. George McIntosh, who hurried over and used every exertion to restore animation, but without effect. Her husband was away from home at the Central Criminal Court on the day on which the accident occurred, and was also absent there on that day (Saturday). Thomas Wilson, brother of the deceased, said that on the 11th instant he was unloading the dray at the haystack, when his Sister Nancy came and asked him if he had seen deceased. he said No, I have not seen her; a man named Hewitt who was on the stack then said, " There is something in the pond ; witness immediately ran over to the rushes and saw the body of the child in the water, which was only about a foot deep, and appeared very green on the surface, so as to deceive a child or even a grown person in walking near the edge as the grass was very long ; he helped to get the body out of the rushes, and with others endeavoured in vain to restore animation.

Mr. W. A. Walker, instructed by Mr A. Burns, appeared in support of an application by Sarah Priscilla Wilson, aged 84, widow, of Manly, for an injunction restraining William James Goulding and his wife, Amy L. Goulding (grand-daughter of plaintiff) from dealing with certain leasehold property comprising about 52 acres, known as “Little Mackerel Beach, at Pittwater'' Mr. Watt, instructed by .Mr. J. J Kley, ' appeared, for defendants. An Injunction was granted until the hearing of the suit. EQUITY COURT. (1908, April 1). The Sydney Morning Herald(NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14916980

(Before Mr. Justice Street.)

DISPUTED OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY.

Wilson v Goulding and wife.

Mr. W. A. Walker, instructed by Mr, Ayrault Burns, appeared for the plaintiff. Defendants appeared in person. This was a suit brought by Sarah Priscilla Wilson against William James Goulding and Amy Goulding, his wife, for a decree to restrain defendants by injunction from In any way dealing with 52 acres of land at Little Mackerel Beach, Pittwater, and asking that two documents of November 20, 1894, and of January 5 respectively, should be declared void as against the plaintiff, and that they should be delivered up to be cancelled. The statement of claim also asked that male defendant might be ordered to pay the plaintiff the value of the property and the profits obtained from the same, and that the Usual Inquiry should be made, and accounts taken before tho Master In Equity.

The case for the plaintiff, who is a widow, aged 84, and unable to read or write, was that male defendant was married to her great granddaughter and prior to 1894 she (plaintiff) held the residue of a 999 years' lease of a property situated at Little Mackerel Beach, consisting of about 52 acres, and valued at £10 per acre. She had become liable to John Charles McIntosh for law costs, and It was arranged between her and the male defendant that he should sell the property for her, pay the costs referred to, and hand over the balance of the proceeds to her. For this purpose she on November 20, 1894, executed a document which the male defendant told her was an authority to sell the property as arranged, but the document was not read over or explained to her. The male defendant did not pay the law costs, nor did be hand plaintiff the balance of the money. Subsequently she asked him for the document, but he informed her that it was lost, and that In any case It was not worth the paper It was written on. Recently the Plaintiff discovered that one John Mulford was in possession of the land. She issued a writ of ejectment again him, and Mrs. Goulding was, upon her own application, let in to defend the action, claiming to be the landlord of Mulford. Plaintiff had discovered that since the pendency of the action of ejectment two documents purporting to deal with tho property had been registered, and in consequence of this she on March 10 last withdrew the record in the ejectment action. The document of November 20, 1894, purported to be a conveyance and assignment of the interest of the Plaintiff In the property to the male defendant in consideration of the payment of £5 and the costs already mentioned. The second document was dated January 5, 1900, and expressed to be a conveyance of the property from the male defendant to the female defendant. In consideration of the sum of 5s and an ante-nuptial agreement to settle the property on the female defendant on the solemnisation of the marriage. Plaintiff further stated that she never Intended that the document of November, 1891, should be a conveyance or assignment, that she had no knowledge of Its contents, and believed It to be an authority to sell as previously stated. She further said that she believed there was no ante-nuptial settlement in writing, nor was there any consideration for It.

The defendants In their statement of defence stated that the conveyance of November, 1894, Ti ir,catl over and fully explained to the Plaintiff before she executed It, and she was paid £5, which was the sum agreed upon. Plaintiff never at any time applied to male applicant for a return of the document, nor did he make to her the statement alleged In ÎW to ".

Before 1894 the plaintiff was indebted to a firm of solicitors for £400, and was also Indebted to male defendant for sums owed by him towards paying the costs. The solicitors were pressing her, and In consideration of the defendant taking over her liability in respect of the bill of costs and advances made by him, plaintiff proposed that he should take conveyance or assignment of the property, and it was on that understanding that the deed of November 20,' 1894, was executed. It was read over to her and fully explained by Mr. Barnett Smith, then council clerk of North Sydney, and plaintiff knew well what she was executing; and it was not until she brought the action of ejectment that she made any claim in connection with the property. On January 5, 1900, the male defendant executed an agreement to settle the property on the female defendant prior to the marriage, and of this plaintiff was aware. Defendant also denied that the property was worth £10 per acre, and he averred that the plaintiff was fully aware that Mulford was the tenant of Mrs. Goulding.

Mr. W. A. Walker, instructed by Mr. Ayrault Burns, appeared for the plaintiff. Defendants appeared in person. This was a suit brought by Sarah Priscilla Wilson against William James Goulding and Amy L. Goulding, his wife, for a decree to restrain defendants by injunction from in any way dealing with 52 acres of land at, Little Mackerel Beach, Pittwater, and asking that two documents of November 20, 1894, and of January 5, 1900, respectively, should be declared void as against the plaintiff, and that they should be delivered up to be cancelled. The statement of claim also asked that male defendant might be ordered to pay the plaintiff the value of the property and the profits obtained from the same, and that the usual inquiry should be made, and accounts taken before tho Master in Equity. The particulars of the case on both sides have already appeared.

His Honor, after hearing the evidence and the addresses on behalf of both parties, said he had come to the conclusion that the deed of November 20, 1894, was obtained by defendant William James Goulding by misrepresentation, and that when plaintiff executed It she believed that what she was signing was only an authority to him to sell the property, pay certain law costs due by her, and hand the balance over to her. That being so, it was void. He was also of opinion that the document of January, 1900, purporting to be an ante-nuptial settlement of the property on Mrs. Goulding by her husband was void. He, therefore, made a decree in terms of the first prayer of the plaintiff's statement of claim, and directed both documents to be delivered up to be cancelled. Defendant William James Goulding to pay the costs of the suit.

While all this was going on, and Blanche drowned, the Farrells were doing their utmost to cause more distress:

Thomas Wilson, of Mona Vale, Pittwater, was found guilty of having two bulls which trespassed on the growing crops of John Farrell. He was fined 8s, with 5s 6d costs. Mr. Driver for the complainant, and Mr. Roberts for the defendant. WATER POLICE COURT.—FRIDAY. (1870, October 15). Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63112055

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.

FRIDAY.

Before His Honor Mr. Justice FAUCETT.

CATTLE STEALING.

John Farrell, the younger, appeared on bail to answer to a charge, for that he did on the 4th day of August, 1870, at Pitt Water, feloniously steal, take, and lead away a cow, the property of Thomas Wilson. Prisoner pleaded not guilty, Mr. Davis, assisted by Mr. Windeyer, appeared to conduct the prosecution ; and Messrs. W. B. Dalley, assisted by Mr. C. J. Manning, instructed by Messrs. Leary and Driver, defended the prisoner.

Mr. Davis having opened the case, called Senior constable Edward Broomfield, who deposed that, in company with constable Carton, he went to prisoner's house on Sunday, 7th August;that Wilson was also with him, and they had a search warrant; prisoner was at home, and witness said to him " are you John Farrell " ; he said " yes ; " witness after giving the usual caution, asked prisoner whether he had killed a beast there lately, to which he replied "no," and upon being asked when he killed last, stated about five or six weeks ago; he said he had not a hide of the beast he killed last as he had sold it to Wilson, the butcher of Manly Beach ; witness asked him if he had any fresh meat on the pre-mises, and he answered no; witness then produced the search-warrant, and proceeded to search the premises, and in a skillion outside found a cask ; prisoner after hearing the warrant read, said he knew nothing of the heifer, and had not killed her ;after taking the sack off the cask, he (witness) said to prisoner, " Hulloa, Johnny, what do you call this, this looks like fresh beef ; " he then took the beef out of the cask, and it appeared to be quite fresh, with a little salt thrown over it; witness asked prisoner where he got the meat from, to which he replied, "That came down from Wilson the butcher at Manly, the week before last, and it was fresh ; " there were about 200 lbs. weight or more in the cask, and witness told prisoner so; the search was then continued, and witness upon going to the stockyard found under some corn-stalks the carcase of a calf, a paunch, and portions of en-trails all quite fresh. When questioned about the carcase prisoner said a cow had slipped the calf, which he had dragged into the yard. He did not know where the cow was, but told witness that he might go and look for it if he wanted it. From his (witness's) experience his opinion was that the calf had not been slipped ; witness went again to the house on Monday evening to bring the beef away, but upon going to the skillion found that half the meat had been taken away; he took away the remainder and showed it to Wilson at Manly, and on the Wednesday following it was taken to Sydney; the meat was weighed at Wilson's and proved to be 130 lbs. ; when witness visited prisoner's house on the second occasion the calf which witness had seen in the stockyard was gone.

Cross-examined by Mr. Dalley : He (witness) had taken nothing to drink when he went to Farrell's except some tea; when prisoner spoke of the cow slipping a calf he said, witness believed, " one of my cows," or "one of the cows," but he would not swear he said either. Constable Carton might have taken something to drink, but he did not see him; proceedings were initiated against the pri soner on the 5th or 6th of August, when a search warrant was issued; he arrested him on the Thursday, 11th, charged with having a portion of a stolen carcase in his possession ; the charge was heard, and upon leaving the court witness arrested prisoner on the present charge; this was on Friday, 2nd September, nearly a month after the first charge.

Re-examined by Mr. Windeyer: He was perfectly sober when he went to Farrell's house, and he believed Carton was also sober.

Senior-constable John Carton stationed at Manly Beach, who accompanied constable Broomfield to Farrell's house, generally corroborated the latter's evidence. He had two or three nobblers of brandy on the way to Farrell's, but was not intoxicated or incompetent to perform his duties.

Henry Hassard deposed that he was formerly ship's boy on board the Menan, and ran away to Pitt Water about two months ago ; he went to Farrell's place, who told him he could not get across Broken Bay ; prisoner used to look after the farm there and his father used to come there once a week ; witness was down at the farm in August and was there on the 4th, when he came back from Sydney to Pittwater; he got there about 7 o'clock in the evening, and prisoner went out when he got there ; he came in about an hour afterwards, stayed in awhile, and asked him (witness) to go out with him to Poyner's camp, about 300 or 400 yards from the farm ; they went about 100 yards, when he told him to wait until he came back with a pack of cards ; prisoner went back to the house, and witness, after waiting ten minutes and finding that prisoner had not come back also returned to the house, and found that Farrell was not there ; witness went to bed about 9 o' cl.ock in a room occupied by prisoner, and about an hour after wards he heard one of the dogs make a noise as if it was pleased , prisoner's sister went out and brought in the dog, and shortly afterwards witness heard the report of a gun; this was about half an hour after the dog was brought in ; the gun sounded apparently a quarter or half a mile away from the house, and about ten minutes after the first shot he heard another; about an hour and a half after the shots were fired prisoner came into the bedroom, and brought the dog with him ; he went to bed, and after he had been there about an hour or an hour and a half he got up again and went out of the room ; at this time witness was awake, and remained so for a quarter of an hour afterwards; prisoner did not come in while he, (witness) was awake, but he awoke him in the morning ; when prisoner got up after being in bed an hour, he dressed himself ; at breakfast prisoner told him to go to Cooper's a place near the farm, and part of the ground used by prisoner; prisoner's brothers, Thomas and Daniel, accompanied him, and Farrell said he would follow them with the horse and cart ; witness left about 8 o'clock for Cooper's, and prisoner arrived there about 10 o'clock; he had then on different clothes from the clothes he was wearing when witness left him that morning; they remained at Cooper's till about 12 o'clock, and afterwards returned to the house, where witness told prisoner he was going to Sydney ; when witness got back to the house he noticed some blood upon the gate, which appeared to be fresh; the mark was upon that part of the gate which a person would take hold of in going in or out; on the way to Cooper's witness noticed some tracks of cattle; there were both horse and cattle tracks, and appeared to be fresh; the tracks were pointed out to him by prisoner's brother; after going into the yard he went round to the back of the house, past the , washhouse, and saw the pickle-cask heaped up with something ; he did not see what it was heaped up with, because it was covered with a bag ; they were short of beef at this time in the house ; but previously some corned beef was brought in a bag from Wilson's at Manly; five weeks previously to this a beast had been brought to the farm in a cart by prisoner's father and killed ; it was cut up, and the hind quarters were kept for the use of the house ; it was after that they were short of beef, and in consequence a pig was killed ; about a week before this he saw the pickle cask, it was not heaped up then.

Cross-examined by Mr. Dalley : It was on the day preceding the occurrences described by witness, that prisoner's father told him (witness) that he could not stay at the farm any longer, and must take his clothes away as he might get into trouble if he permitted witness to remain there any longer ; there had been a quarrel some few weeks previously to this between prosecutor and the prisoner's father, about a dog; witness had frequently been out shooting with prisoner ; had upon one occasion assisted in driving prosecutor's cattle off prisoner's farm; witness was staying at a boarding house, and sergeant Anderson told him before he gave any evidence, that his board would be paid; he (witness) thought it rather strange that prisoner should change his clothes on the morning of his visit to Cooper's, because he did not do so before in the morning ; he would not swear that he did not tell anybody that he would get £20 if the case was successful.

Thomas Wilson deposed that he remembered seeing prisoner on horseback about an hour before sunset on the 4 th of August ;at that time he was leading his (wit- ness's) cattle ; witness had been looking after cattle and was going home, and whilst talking to a man named Leek and his two sons working on the road, he turned round and saw the prisoner drive the cattle over the hill towards his own place ; he saw prisoner coming out at the hill side from some low scrub, and was sure it was the pri-soner ; he know him very well and could not be mistaken about it ; he (witness) had just left the cattle on the side of the hill ; the heifer was about three years old and was within six weeks of calving ; she was amongst the mob prisoner was driving; he had never seen the heifer since, although he had searched all over the run ; the animal was a red-and-white heifer, branded with a slit in the ear; witness followed the track down to the creek and over the bridge to within 300 yards of prisoner's house; there appeared to be some marks as if the cattle had been driven back over the bridge; when the search warrant was issued, witness accompanied the constables to prisoner's house. [Witness then gave the particulars of what occurred at prisoner's farm as already described by constable Broomfield.] He had frequently cautioned the prisoner about coming upon his (witness's) run.

Cross-examined by Mr. Dalley : He was stopping talking to the men at work when he saw Farrell; the hill where he saw the prisoner coming out was some distance from where he was standing ; it was called, to the best of his knowledge, the Little Reef Hill ; that was the name which it was known by in his family; at a distance of half a mile from where he saw the cattle he could identify any one of them by the colour ; he had often found cattle that had strayed from his run after a lapse of six months,and persons from whom he had purchased them had sent letters to him about cattle that had strayed ; witness complained to prisoner's father that the latter was continually on his run hunting the cattle.

Charles Leek deposed that he was a labourer, and recollected in August last being engaged upon a road near prosecutor's house; he remembered seeing Mr. Wilson driving home; he also saw prisoner driving cattle on the hill, but did not know whose they were; did not know the name of the hill where he saw prisoner driving along, but had heard that it was called Little Reef Hill ; when he saw the prisoner it was between 5 and 6 o'clock.

Cross-examined by Mr. Manning : Had been in the district for some time ; he was about a quarter to half a mile from where he saw the cattle; when Wilson came up he had been looking at the cattle.

John Leek, son of last witness, deposed that he recollected working with his father on the road at Pitt Water on the 4th August, and seeing Mr. Wilson during the evening ; he saw prisoner driving cattle on the hill near the sea beach ; was quite sure he saw prisoner.

Cross-examined by Mr. Manning : His father told him, a while afterwards, that it was the 4th of August, and Mr. Wilson told him that the prisoner was driving the cattle.

Charles Leek, brother of last witness, recollected when his father was working upon a contract on the Pitt Water Road ; he had seen the prisoner several times, and had spoken to him ; on the 4th August Mr. Wilson came down to them, and subsequently he saw prisoner driving cattle on the hill ; he lost sight of him in a short time, and did not see him again ; was quite certain that prisoner was the man he had seen.

Cross-examined by Mr. Dalley : He heard Mr. Wilson say, " There is John Farrell;" he knew it was the 4th August, because Monday was the 1st.

James Wilson deposed he was a butcher living at Manly Beach ; in the months of July and August he was on business there ; knew John Farrell ; he recollected sergeant Broomfield showing him some meat, and had previously, to the 8th or 9th of August last, supplied prisoner with meat; on the 23rd July, he had supplied Farrell at the farm with some meat ; he looked over the meat brought him by con-stable Broomfield, and found that it was badly cut ; it looked like corned beef, but had apparently only been in pickle twenty-four hours; he never bought a hide on the 4th. August, and had not purchased one since the 15th of June.

George Marshall, assistant in the shop of last witness, swore that the last occasion upon which he supplied prisoner with beef was upon the 23rd June.

Thomas Playfair deposed that he was a butcher carrying on business in Sydney, and recollected constable Broomfield showing him some beef on the 9th or 10th of August ; it was the meat from a small beast ; the meat was badly cut up, but there were two or three pieces which were well cut and which had been longer pickled than the other pieces ; the meat was that of a full-grown cow.

William M. Brownrigg, a surveyor, was called to give evidence as to the locality upon which the cattle were seen when they were driven by prisoner, he having made a survey of the place at prosecutor's request ; a person standing on the hill would easily be seen, especially during the evening, with a setting sun, but it might be hard to recognise any-thing at a quarter of a mile distant ; he was able to dis-tinguish two white cows on the hill.

Alfred Wilson, farmer, and a son of prosecutor, remembered some beef being brought to his father's that had been taken from Farrell's house; it was taken to Manly Beach, and was in the same state when it got there as when it was taken into the cart.

This was the case for the Crown, and counsel for the defence reserved their case until to-morrow.

The jury were handed over to the care of Mr. Deputy-Sheriff Uhr for the night.

... CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT (Abridged from the S. M. Herald.) Wednesday, FEBRUARY 15. (Before his Honor the Chief Justice.) John Farrell the younger appeared to answer a charge of stealing a cow, the property of Thomas Wilson, at Pittwater, on the 4th August last. The case was tried and reported at the ... 240 words

George Edwin Goulder, Inspector of Police, on Friday at the Central Summons Court, proceeded against Thomas Wilson and John Wilson for hauling with a net, having meshes smaller than prescribed. Each defendant pleaded guilty. It was stated that the defendants were licensed fishermen and were using an illegal net as regards depth and mesh, at Pittwater. The net was 50 meshes too deep, and would operate against ground fish and towards the destruction of small fish. The value of the net was £15. Each defendant was fined 40s. or one month, the net to be forfeited.

Pic.Acc.6203, courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Manager's Cottage, 1990

The manager's cottage stands on the site of Southend. It replaced the earlier cottage that was burnt down in 1954. The Manager's cottage is a timber framed building clad in fibrous cement sheeting with a corrugated steel gabled roof. It has casement windows on the front (eastern) elevation which are probably recycled (National Trust Listing Card).

TUTA Building, 1997

This conference facility was built on the elevated land behind the north cabins in a style reminiscent of Midholme.

Natural heritage description and values

The Escarpment and steep slopes

The rocky escarpment surrounding the holiday resort is in the Watagan Colluvial Soil Landscape Grouping which is characterised by rolling to very steep hills on fine-grained Narrabeen Group sediments. Local relief is 60-120 metres with slopes greater than 25%. There are narrow convex crests and ridges, steep colluvial side slopes, occasional sandstone boulders and benches. Vegetation typically comprises tall open-forest with closed-forest in sheltered positions. Soils are typically shallow to deep (30-200 cm) Lithosols/Siliceous Sands (Uc1.24) and Yellow Podzolic Soils (Dy3.21, Dy3.41, Dy4.11) on sandstones; moderately deep (100-200 cm) Brown Podzolic Soils (Db1.11), Red Podzolic Soils (Dr2.21) and Gleyed Podzolic Soils (Dg2.21) on shales. Land in the Watagan Soil Landscape Grouping is generally not capable of urban development, regular cultivation or grazing. Soils on sandstone crests and very steep side slopes in these areas are likely to have moderate erodibility but an extreme erosion hazard for both non-concentrated and concentrated flows. Topsoil and subsoil losses arising from urban development are likely to be high. Large variations in soil properties occur over short distances, requiring detailed assessment of surface movement potential (Musecape & Beaver, 1999).

The Flats

The flatter area on which Midholme, the manager's cottage and the sporting facilities are located has been classified in the Warriewood Swamp Soil Landscape Grouping. This is characterised by level to gently undulating swales, depressions and infilled lagoons on Quaternary sands. Local relief is less than 10 metres and slopes are less than 3%. The water table is at less than 200 cm. The area is mostly cleared of native vegetation. Soils are typically deep (greater than 150 cm), well sorted, sandy Humus Podzois (Uc2.32) and dark, mottled Siliceous Sands (Uc1.21) overlying buried Acid Peats (0) in depressions, deep (greater than 200 cm) Podzois (Uc2.12, Uc2.32) and pale Siliceous Sands (Uc1.2) on sandy rises. Limitations for this soil landscape grouping are given as localised flooding and run-on, high water tables and highly permeable soil. Land in these areas has a generally low to moderate capability for urban development, with localised swampy areas not capable of urban development. The photographic record and site investigations for Currawong indicate frequent swampy areas on the flats. Drier areas are generally capable of regular cultivation and grazing. The historic record for Currawong suggests that in the 19th century and during the Stiles period of occupation the flats area was used for grazing of dairy cattle and growing of some food crops for domestic consumption. Soils on the flats are likely to have low erodibility and a low erosion hazard for non-concentrated flows, moderate to high erosion hazard for concentrated flows and low to moderate hazard for wind erosion (Musecape & Beaver, 1999).

The Beach

Although not shown on the Sydney 1:100,000 Soil Landscape map, the beach and foredune areas at Currawong are likely to have similar soil landscape characteristics to those at Great Mackerel Beach. These have been mapped as Narrabeen/Marine which has beaches and coastal foredunes on marine sands. Beach plains with relief to 6 metres, slopes less than 3%, foredunes with relief less than 20 metres and slope gradients up to 45%. Spinifex grassland/herbland to closed-scrub on foredunes. Soils are deep (greater than 200 cm) Calcareous sands (Uc1.11, Uc1.12) on beaches, Siliceous Sands (Uc1.21, Uc1.22) and occasional compressed sands on foredunes. Limitations include extreme wind and wave erosion hazard, non-cohesive soil, very low soil fertility and high soil permeability (Musecape & Beaver, 1999).

Vegetation and escarpment

The study of the Currawong site by Macquarie University students carried out in 1978 provides a detailed analysis of the vegetation (Musecape & Beaver, 1999). A visual study by Craig Burton, in the Barrenjoey Peninsula and Pittwater Heritage Study, 1989, analysed the spatial and visual structure of Pittwater and mapped areas considered to have a high degree of visibility and considered essential to conserve the environmental heritage and scenery of the place. Burton has mapped visually significant areas based upon historic viewing points, steep slopes and visibility from public areas. The slopes and escarpment at Currawong are ranked as visually significant by Musescape and Beaver (Musecape & Beaver, 1999).

Physical Condition and/or

Archaeological Potential:

The physical condition of the buildings and facilities of the holiday camp are generally good. The site is still operational, providing holiday accommodation and is maintained by Unions NSW. Most of the holiday cabins date back to the 1950s and have been well maintained. The heritage listed homestead Midholme was in poor condition in the late 1980s but was restored in 1993. Three of the other original farm buildings (Southend, Northend & Canning's Cottage) no longer exist, however, some archaeological potential should exist. In relation to indigenous occupation of the site, it is considered that there is high archaeological potential, as yet not explored. Other archaeological potential may exist in relation to the early use of the site as a working farm. (Pittwater City Council SHI, 2005)

JOAN WILSON (Careel Bay) recently helped her father rescue a sheep that had strayed into the water. "It floundered around In the bay, about 200 yards out from an old jetty. Joan writes. "When we succeeded in bringing it to safety, we discovered that it was completely exhausted. When It recovered, we gave it some water and led it to some green grass." News from the LETTER BOX (1940, January 14). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 2 (SUPPLEMENT TO THE SUNDAY SUN AND GUARDIAN SUNBEAMS). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231234511

ALLEN—WILSON - The Engagement Is announced of Betty, third daughter of Mr and Mrs. F. J Wilson of Careel Bay, Newport and Raymond Joseph youngest son of the late Mr and Mrs Harry Allen, late 18 Farnham Street Leicester England. Family Notices (1946, February 16). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 30. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17970685

KERANS-WILSON.- The Engagement is announced of Jean youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs F J Wilson of Careel Bay to Hugh youngest son of Mr and Mrs C W Kerrans of Croydon. Family Notices (1951, May 26). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 36. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18213077

References and Extras

1. 1996. PROFILES OF THE PIONEERS IN MANLY, WARRINGAH AND PITTWATER by Shelagh Champion, OAM, B.A.(Lib.Sc.) and George Champion, OAM, Dip.Ed.Admin. Revised 2013. Available online

A TRIP OVERLAND TO BROKEN BAY, THE

MOUTH OF THE HAWKESBURY.

THE distance from Sydney to the above unfrequented spot is about thirty miles-easy of access, although, perhaps, less visited than any part of the environs of the metropolis, simply because people are not aware of such an excursion being possible ; and also because of the necessity of a guide, or minute description of the route, to supply Which I have undertaken to describe my last journey on Easter Monday, two days being sufficient to accomplish it on horseback, the only conveyance it admits of.

We started from the North Shore Ferry in Windmill-street at noon, and ascending the road leading from the ferry to the top of the hill, turned to the right, opposite the chapel, and took the excellent road to Middle Harbour, about three miles of which are in good condition. Turning then to the left we enter the scrub, when a bridle-path is seen with a belt of trees, a hundred yards from the main road, this being the only guide to turn off to Middle Harbour. A mile through this path leads to a somewhat rugged descent to the sandy spit, projecting half way across, where Mr. Ellery, on being hailed, brings the punt across to fetch both cattle and men. The charge for this service is half-a-crown each way, and if the horses are swam across, sixpence less.

The punt being under repair, we had to swim the horses-a very safe proceeding, which they appeared to enjoy amazingly ; although at first I was not over-confident in the propriety of tumbling my favourite steed to so very unceremonious an immersion. The distance is about a quarter of a mile, and free from sharks. The scenery of this inland bay is very fine; and I may as well mention en pono»« that a small boat can be had to row two miles further up the harbour to its extremity, into which the Willoughby Falls discharge from the North Shore, which everybody ought to make a point of seeing.

On landing from the punt we looked in at Ellery's, where everything reminds you of a neat English farm ; and the oude wife having regaled us with plenty of new milk, we ascended the zigzag path, cut in the solid rock at least 200 feet high, and reached the path leading to Manly Beach on the right, distant only three miles ; and to Pitt Water and Broken Bay on the left, distant about twenty-four miles from the punt. To a stranger, a little difficulty exists in taking the right path for each place ; but Mr. Ellery never fails to explain the proper direction, and often accompanies a stranger to the top of the hill to see them right.

The first landmark is a log-bridge over a wide creek, which leads through two or three small farms adjoining each other ; then a very good bridle road continues through thickly-timbered forest, when suddenly the sea is heard to break, and then immediately appears in an opening on the right, between two heads forming a large lagoon, running inland, called the Deewi lagoon, which is crossed in its narrow part by a wooden log-bridge. A sandy bar keeps out the water from the lagoon, except when the sea breaks in and then fills it, from which it again gradually drains out. A wild duck suddenly arose, disturbed by our noise, which gave an indication of work for the gun in this locality.

The road from here to Pitt Water follows immediately the line of the coast northward, which makes it easy without a guide as you cannot go wrong, and a small farm every two or three miles also enables milk to be had, and perhaps a crust ; but no other accommodation in the commissariat is to be expected unless, as in our case, you have friends on the road.

Passing Jenkins' farm there is a level piece of beautiful turf nearly two miles long, and a quarter of a mile broad, quite fitted for a racecourse ; forming the finest gallop anywhere near Sydney, and almost of it-self worth the trouble of riding out to. After this, bush occurs again, and then the Narrobin lagoon is reached, half a mile wide-sometimes nearly dry, sometimes up to the horses' knees or girths, and at times impassable. "We found it very low, but filled with fish of various sizes, darting in all directions. This back water extends inland quite out of sight, but is a perfect level sand all over, and, if not fordable, can he crossed by the bar of sand which shuts it out from the sea.

The road continues alternating with fine galloping ground over the downs, on the sand-hills and through the bush ; every now and then magnificent headlands appearing suddenly as you emerge from the bush, generally enclosing between them a fine sandy bay, upon which the ocean rolls in with a most majestic appearance from the heights above.

Near Mr. Farrell's farm are cliffs at least 100 feet high, from which a man fell, whilst shooting birds, from the rock giving way ; and, strange to say, he was not much hurt, as he walked out a few days afterwards. The beach underneath is covered with debris of trees and timber, driven down the Hawkesbury by the recent floods, and drifted about here into the bays. The road from Farrell's to the flagstaff has not the sea in view, being amongst bush and steep gullies, over picturesque murmuring creeks. We crossed a tent, where men were boring for coals on the Rev. Mr. Therry's land they have reached 150 feet without success ; but it appears that the cognoscenti have pronounced the seam to be deep but certain.

That it is hard stuff in some strata, is seen by four inches only having been gained in the last two weeks. If coal is found, a tramway to Manly will save a sea voyage to Newcastle, and open a great traffic.

Suddenly, after emerging from a tortuous mountain track, we come in full view of the magnificent estuary of Broken Bay or Pitt Water, running nine miles inland, with water enough for the largest man of war : here the Juno formerly went for gunnery practice, and ascended five miles up.

The middle water is the mouth of the Hawkesbury, several miles in extent, and beyond it is the bar of Brisbane Water, known by the surf beating over it, and difficult of access for any but coasters and steamers, the deep channel being narrow with less than two fathoms of water This runs inland sixteen miles ; East Gosford, a rising township, being at the head of the head of the navigation.

Thus the Hawkesbury has Brisbane Water on the north, and Pitt Water on the south of its embouchure , all three compused between the North and South heads, and about ten miles across. The appearance is not unlike Sydney Harbour near Middle and North Harbours, with the exception of more width, and heavier timber all around.

The first thing that met our eyes on the shores of Pitt Water, was a small colony of Chinamen, who live in tents, and are engaged in curing fish caught there, for the Melbourne and Sydney markets a dozen small boats are engaged in the trade, which I hear has been a good hit, although, just now, there are no fish, which is attributed to the great floods having driven them all out to sea. Another mile along a level piece of turf by the water side, brings us to the coast-guard station, where Mr Ross has for several years been in charge. He very politely led us to the too of the lock, where the flagstaff is placed commanding a splendid view of all the surrounding scenery for many milts in nil directions. This is Barenjo on the south Head, and is about 100 feet high. Several soldiers, made out of trees, as large as life, and painted, are placed about, and might actually serve as landmarks to vessels entering these complicated waters they would be more useful several miles up the mer, where steamers have often taken the wrong channel, owing to the numerous wide branches on either side, rendering the proper channel difficult to recognise.

Thus ends the trip to Broken Bay, which, for diversity of scenery of entirely an opposite nature, constantly' recurring, forming a succession of panoramas of forest, lagoon, green turf, sand hills, mountains, gullies, creeks, precipices, and (few and far between) settlers farms, I will venture to affirm, cannot be equalled in so short a distance of thirty miles in any part of Australia, and will much repay the trouble of the journey and somewhat plain fare attendant upon it, as, after Manly, there is no accommodation for travellers, and supplies should be carried with them from there from Manly, the distance to Barenjo is twenty-one miles, and can be performed, starting early in the morning, there and back the same day, half the road being a splendid turf, which part of the ground can be got over quickly, and the remainder offering no difficulties to the rider.

This trip can only be performed on horseback, but you can avoid taking a horse across Middle Harbour by hiring one at Manly Beach, and going from there to Broken Bay, the road, after crossing the Manly Lagoon, being the same as I have attempted to describe.

I HAVE before me a map of Pittwater, showing every bay and point, every beach and wharf and creek. This much-used map is not crowded with detail, but is just sufficiently complete to satisfy all the requirements of an imaginative mind. There is, in fact, all the material for the background of a novel— aboriginal lore, tales of pioneers, of piracy and smuggling, hidden treasure, shipyards and sailing races.

The pier at Pittwater, local 'headquarters' of the yachting and sailing fraternity.

SEE, here at the mouth of Broken Bay, is Lion Island, officially known as 'Mount Elliott,' but its more popular name will live after the other is forgotten because of the island's amazing resemblance to a lion couchant. And here is Barrenjoey. Where the well constructed lighthouse now stands with its fixed white light, visible for fifteen miles, there was once only afire basket and a tall white pillar.' At that time smugglers crept round into Pittwater, for it was easy to discharge contraband there and send it to Sydney without paying duty. So serious did this illegal traffic become that, after the detection of a vessel aptly named the Fair Barbarian engaged in, this illicit trade, a Customs officer was stationed on the .inner beach near the headland to report suspicious happenings. To bluff intending smugglers, this ingenious officer constructed a tall wooden soldier equipped with a drawn sword, to suggest, armed vigilance, but, alas, an irate skipper mistook the intention and hurriedly put ashore to 'rescue' the redcoat who was signalling in distress.

IT is hard to believe that in this serenely beautiful spot piracy preceded smuggling, yet we are told by Collins in his 'Account of the English Colony at –Port Jackson' that in September, 1797 —'A boat, the largest and best in the Colony, belonging to the government, was, on her passage to the Hawkesbury, whither she was carrying a few stores, taken possession of by a part of the boat's crew, being at the same time boarded by a small boat from the shore, the people in which seized her and put off to sea, first landing the coxswain and three others, who were unwilling to accompany them, in Pitt Water in Broken Bay. These men proceeded overland to Port Jackson, where they gave the first information of this daring and 'piratical transaction.' But there are earlier historical references to Pittwater even than that. In fact, in Governor Phillip’s first despatch from the settlement at Port Jackson to Lord Sydney he recounts how on 2nd March, 1788, he set off to explore Broken Bay, about twenty miles north, in an urgent search for land suitable for cultivation, and came across: '. . . . the finest piece of water I ever saw and ' which I honoured with the name of Pitt Water.* Wm. Pitt the younger was at that time Prime Minister of England. It would contain the navy of Great ' Britain'.

RIGHT: A Paradise for the boating man and the fisherman, yet near enough to the city to be easily accessible, Pittwater is a much frequented resort in holiday-time.

Phillip described in this despatch his encounters with the natives, one of whom proved friendly and helpful, .. but when Phillip chided him with the theft of a spade 'this destroyed our friendship in a moment and seizing a spear he came close up to me, poised it and appeared determined to strike.' But Phillip fixed him firmly with his gaze, for he chose 'rather to risk the spear than fire on him,' so that at last the native capitulated and, dropping his spear, left.

When the natives discovered that Phillip was minus a top tooth there was a great clamour, and the loss gave him some merit in their eyes, because the forcible removal of one of their own front teeth was an indication that they had attained manhood and the status of warrior.

Pittwater was once a busy farming district, but few traces remain of the old homesteads and orchards.

LONG after the district was settled the aborigines proved troublesome, and present-day residents whose grandparents pioneered it describe how the 'Barrenjuee' tribe roamed the bush by day, calling at lonely bark and split-log shanties when the husband was away, demanding flour and tobacco of some lonely girl-mother who kept a musket near the door for her protection. At night these black marauders 'bandicooted' the crops of potatoes and stole the settlers 'maize. Slowly vanishing memorials to this large and troublesome tribe are their rock carvings on the headlands of Kuring-gai Chase and their middens, great heaps of oyster, whelk and cockle shells.

As the settlements on the Hawkesbury flourished, so Pittwater grew in importance. It was a port of call for vessels bound for Sydney. Mails came from the north, via Gosford and Brisbane Water, to the wharf at Newport. Farms on the foreshores produced grain, vegetables, and butter. Shipbuilding began to rival farming in importance. There were shipyards at Stoke 's Point, Scotland Island and McCarr's Creek. On Scotland Island, so it is recorded, is buried a three-legged pot full of 'holey' dollars, hidden by two men who came down the river in a stolen boat, laden with booty. These men, it is said, were arrested at Pittwater and sent back to confinement, never to return to retrieve their loot.*

When the sun is setting behind Pittwater Nature is seen in one of her most peaceful moods.

PITTWATER has lost most of its economic importance since those stern days when sloops were tediously built on the different points and great logs of timber were hauled from the nearby woods, when there was a salt works on 'Salt Pan' Creek and Ah Chuey ran a flourishing fish-drying business near Careel Bay. But it has gained a new importance. Boats are still built on its foreshores — luxurious pleasure craft in sheds crammed with a wonderful assortment of masts, chains, canvas, spars, paint, and cordage. And in those peaceful, secluded retreats boats are being scraped, cradles made, masts repaired, and sweet-running engines overhauled. Here are sunburnt men who carry on the traditions of a century and more who, if not lineal descendants, are worthy successors of the stout-hearted pioneers; men like Gus, the Swede, who lives on his launch and occasionally signs on for a cruise to the Barrier Reef — a man of Viking strain, holder of a mate's certificate, too old now for an active life, but who can't escape the lure of lapping water beside a boat or the tang of fresh salt breezes in his nostrils.

Then there's Billie ? , who has fished the length of Pittwater for forty years or more, who knows every bend and nook of it and can read its every mood. When a southerly blows and ruffles its surface he is dull and listless, but when a sharp 'nor'-easter' sweeps across the hills he is all activity — fish will be plentiful and in no time he'll be chugging past Great Mackerel Beach with its two uncharted graves, past the Basin, past Soldiers' Point. Soon the bucket in his launch will be filled with bream and leather-jacket, flounder, mackerel and whiting. He'll 'threadle' his hooks as he goes along, with juicy earthworms from near the mangrove swamps, for the fishing itch is in his makeup and will be till he dies.

RIGHT : A view with a glimpse of Lion Island (officially known as Mount Elliott). This is one of the most beautiful vistas on the coast.

THE great occasion of the year at Pittwater is the annual regatta, when the week-end cottages nestling cosily at the water's brink all spring to life. The hundreds of neat white craft, riding at their moorings, assume a new activity. Boats are pushed out and sails unfurled, hydroplane engines 'rev.' and roar, and soon the blue stretch is graced with gleaming sails which sweep majestically past while luxurious cruisers plough importantly towards the club house. On them will be seen happy, charming girls and sun-bronzed men and older men with grizzled hair and keen blue eyes, and robust, clean-limbed youngsters growing up in the best traditions of yachting and cruising and a glorious outdoor life. Aye, it is a kind retreat, this beautifully clothed arm of the Hawkesbury. It is good to tramp its shores, to penetrate the almost virgin bush where wattle, waratahs, Christmas bells and flannel flowers luxuriate ;to lie on some green, shady slope and watch the sun scintillating on its broad expanse the while large white clouds float majestically high above tall and stately trees. It is the peaceful playground of a busy city; meet place to retire to adjust one's perspective when work grows wearisome and details assume quite wrong proportions.

A sunset behind Church Point, the vicious tug and flurry of a fish on the end of a well-baited line, the strong caress of wind against a sail, the tense moment after the skipper's curt 'prepare to go about,' bump and scrape of fender against wharf — and life resumes its zest again.*

AS I have said, it is an ideal background for a book... if you can resist the lure of it and settle down to work.

The serene appearance of Pittwater to-day conveys no suggestion of its turbulent past, though visitors blessed with imagination do not find it difficult to conjure up visions of long - dead smugglers, pirates, and revenue, officers. Some bad men plied these waters in the 'good old days,' and the local bushland was peopled by warlike blacks, who harried the settlers and stole everything they could lay hands on.

*See Vol. VI. (1920) Inl. and Proceedings of the Royal Australian Historical Society.